“The Emergence of Youth in Extremist Right-Wing Movements”
Nick, a 19-year-old, reflects on his parents’ experience of living in a peaceful and secure environment in their own country. “I dream of a country where fear is not a constant presence,” he shares. I meet Nick and his 30-year-old friend Dominic at a small bar in Freiberg, Saxony, where they express their support for Alternative für Deutschland, a party that has been gaining traction among young men in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Nick and Dominic, along with many other young German men, express concerns about the rise in attacks by asylum seekers in Germany, such as the recent tragic incident in Aschaffenburg. While they acknowledge the importance of integration and hard work, they criticize those who abuse the asylum system. However, they feel that expressing such opinions often leads to unfair labels like “Nazi” due to Germany’s history.
Alternative für Deutschland, known for its anti-migrant stance, has garnered attention for receiving endorsements from tech mogul Elon Musk. As the far-right movement gains momentum leading up to the national election, the rise of young male supporters raises questions about the country’s historical context and the potential repercussions.
Recent research indicates a growing support for Alternative für Deutschland among young German men, with a notable increase in positive views towards the party. This trend is reflective of a larger shift towards right-wing ideologies among young adults, particularly males, across Europe.
The increasing anxiety among young people, as highlighted by studies, suggests different concerns among men and women. While women tend to prioritize rights and equality, men often gravitate towards conservative values. This divergence in priorities may explain the attraction of far-right parties to young men, who might feel disconnected from themes traditionally associated with left-wing politics.
The phenomenon of rising support for populist right-wing parties is not unique to Germany, as countries like France, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Italy have also witnessed similar trends. This growing trend among young men underscores the need for deeper analysis of the underlying factors driving their political affiliations and the potential implications for society at large.
According to analysis conducted by Prof Abou-Chadi using data from a subset of the 2024 European Election Study, the support for far-right parties in EU countries is significantly higher among men compared to women. Besides gender differences, factors such as migration, economic issues, and the influence of social media, particularly platforms like TikTok, are playing a crucial role. The far right views mainstream media as hostile and utilizes platforms like TikTok to reach a wider audience.
Mauritius Dorn from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) notes that the far-right party AfD is dominating TikTok in Germany, with 539,000 followers on its official account compared to 158,000 for the leading SPD party. Additionally, unofficial fan accounts also contribute to disseminating AfD’s content. Through creating multiple persona-based accounts, it was observed that right-leaning users predominantly interact with AfD content, while left-leaning users are exposed to a more diverse range of political content.
TikTok claims to remain politically neutral and combat misinformation across the spectrum. However, other political parties have been slow to recognize the platform’s potential, hindering their ability to establish a strong presence on TikTok and catch up with the far right.
One prominent AfD influencer on TikTok is Celina Brychcy, who shares dance, trend, and lifestyle videos along with pro-AfD content to her 167,000 followers, predominantly male and aged between 18 and 35. While she does not profit from promoting AfD, Brychcy is motivated by her belief in the party’s cause and aims to convey its message.
Brychcy advocates for the return of military service, increased support for stay-at-home mothers, and stricter border controls. Despite her conservative views, she denies being racist and asserts that her stance is not against foreigners but emphasizes the importance of integration. Brychcy also opposes what she perceives as a reversal of traditional gender roles and challenges the notion of gender ideology.
Professor Abou-Chadi and the Institute for Generational Research highlight the issue of far-right support among young people, influenced by concerns over gender identity and LGBTQ+ trends. Brychcy’s views on these topics align with those of the AfD supporters, considering traditional gender roles as biologically determined.
While acknowledging losing friends due to her political beliefs, Brychcy maintains that the AfD offers a platform for genuine and radical change rather than being a dangerous movement. She identifies herself as far-right on specific issues like border control and crime, reflecting a willingness to embrace radical solutions.
Supporters of the AfD reject the label of far-right, including party leader Alice Weidel, who asserts that the movement is conservative and libertarian. With the atrocities of the Nazis fading into history, a new generation has grown up familiar with parties like the AfD, seen on TV talk shows and in parliament since the party gained its first MPs in 2017. Prof Abou-Chadi notes that the far right has become normalized, no longer appearing as extreme. Despite party scandals, such as Björn Höcke’s use of a Nazi slogan, which he denied knowingly, the AfD has faced classification as right-wing extremist in three German states, including Saxony, where this designation was unsuccessfully challenged in court. Recent data from Saxony’s domestic intelligence service revealed a concerning increase in “right-wing extremist individuals” since 2015. In a shopping mall in Chemnitz, Saxony, a group of young men, expressing right-wing beliefs, discuss concerns about the migrant community threatening the German “race” and question narratives about the country’s past, potentially referencing the Nazi era.
Diana Schwitalla, a history and social studies teacher, recounts confronting Holocaust denial and troubling remarks among her students, including glorification of Hitler. She mentions students feeling disillusioned about the political system. Over two days, including a visit to an adult vocational college in Freiberg, located on the site of a former Nazi concentration camp, discussions with young students revolve around immigration levels, national pride, and traditional gender roles. Cora, Melina, and Joey, all 18, express concerns about a regression in women’s rights, including discussions about limiting abortion and the right to vote. Melina notes that such topics have not yet made it into mainstream political discourse. Discussions on democracy and engagement with students through mock elections shed light on societal attitudes and perceptions, with left-leaning parties like “Die Linke” proving popular among young voters.
In the latest national election, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured around five percent of the vote, solidifying their position as the second-largest party in the country. This trend echoes the research findings of Professor Abou-Chadi, who notes that younger voters are increasingly gravitating towards more extreme political ideologies, whether on the left or right, rather than supporting centrist parties.
The AfD, known for its emphasis on issues such as security, border control, and migrant crime, has now adopted the controversial concept of “remigration,” signaling a shift towards advocating for mass deportations. This term, prevalent in far-right circles across Europe, underscores the party’s hardline stance on immigration.
Conversations with individuals in Germany reveal that the support for the AfD is not merely a protest vote, but rather a genuine belief that the party could bring about significant, transformative change in the country. Supporters like Celina, Dominic, and Nick express hope that the AfD will steer Germany towards a more radical direction, diverging from the policies of traditional governing parties.
Despite the reluctance of other political parties to form coalitions with the AfD, a symbolic milestone was reached in January when a non-binding motion, supported by AfD votes, was passed in the German parliament for the first time. Professor Abou-Chadi anticipates a potential seismic shift in the political landscape, suggesting that mainstream parties abandoning their “firewall” against the far right could lead to a rise in far-right dominance on the political spectrum.
The AfD and similar parties have diligently pursued a strategy of normalization, aiming to present themselves as legitimate and acceptable choices for voters. While some still view the far right as inherently extremist and anti-democratic, there is evidence that their efforts to mainstream their ideologies are gaining traction, particularly among the younger population.
As the political climate evolves, it becomes increasingly clear that the rise of far-right movements is reshaping the traditional political landscape in Europe. With the AfD making significant strides and challenging the status quo, the implications for the future trajectory of German politics are profound.
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