The President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Marcel Fratzscher, has expressed concern about the increasing tendency of young adults to support right-wing nationalist parties. Fratzscher believes that this shift could weaken the process of European integration and undo progress that has been made. He emphasized that many young people do not realize that a weaker Europe ultimately diminishes their own future opportunities and could cost Germany and Europe a great deal of prosperity in competition with China and the USA. The dissatisfaction with the current societal and economic situation is one of the reasons for this rightward trend, and Fratzscher finds this understandable given the many challenges and crises facing the younger generation today.
The recently published study “Youth in Germany 2024” revealed that under-30s are dissatisfied with the political situation, which is reflected in their party preferences. According to the study, 22 percent of those who expressed a preference for a party said they preferred the AfD, up from twelve percent in the previous year. This dissatisfaction is likely fueled by concerns about the increasing climate crisis, social polarization, geopolitical conflicts, and worries about technology and job security, leading to justified feelings of frustration and anxiety about the future among young people. Fratzscher believes that this generation has inherited a world with more challenges than any other in the past 80 years, contributing to their disillusionment and political shift.
Fratzscher’s remarks come as a warning about the potential consequences of a growing right-wing trend among young people in Germany. He argues that a weaker Europe not only harms the continent economically but also impacts the future opportunities and prosperity of its younger citizens. His comments highlight the need for addressing the underlying issues driving this dissatisfaction and disillusionment among the youth, including the need to tackle climate change, reduce social inequalities, and address concerns about technological advancements and job security to restore faith in the European project and prevent further rightward trends.
The rise of youth support for right-wing parties like the AfD has raised alarms among experts like Fratzscher, who fear that this trend could undermine the progress made in European integration and lead to a reversal of achievements in economic development and societal cohesion. The younger generation’s disillusionment with the current political and economic landscape is understandable given the multitude of crises and challenges they are facing, from climate change to technological shifts. Fratzscher’s warning serves as a call to action for policymakers and leaders to address these concerns and engage with young people to restore trust in the future of Europe and prevent further erosion of support for mainstream political parties.
In light of the findings of the study “Youth in Germany 2024,” which revealed a growing discontent among young people with the political status quo, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the underlying causes of this dissatisfaction. The increasing support for right-wing nationalist parties among the younger generation poses a threat to the stability and unity of Europe, as well as the future prosperity of its citizens. Fratzscher’s comments underscore the need for a proactive approach to address the concerns of young people and restore faith in the European project, emphasizing the importance of tackling climate change, reducing social inequalities, and ensuring job security to build a brighter future for all citizens of Europe, young and old alike.
