Berlin election results show that young people vote for issues more than parties

The results of the recent Berlin state elections aroused special interest in the growing role of young voters, after they showed strong support for the Left Party. While the result may seem to be an indication of a more radical political orientation among the new generation, the opinions of researchers and voting data indicate a more complex picture, linked above all to issues that directly affect the lives of young people, most notably the housing crisis, rising rents, education, and their social future.

Housing and education are at the forefront of young people's concerns

In the first state elections in which 16- and 17-year-olds are allowed to vote, Berlin's Left Party received impressive support from young voters.

Allowing this group to participate in the elections raised the number of voters in Berlin to 2.5 million voters.

According to exit poll data, the party obtained about 43% of the votes of the age group between 16 and 24 years, a significant increase compared to the 2023 elections.

Young Cecilia, 17 years old, told DW that young people are "very politically involved" and talk about politics in schools and among friends and participate in demonstrations.

The housing crisis, high rents, and education emerge as the most important issues that concern them. Liska, 17, says that what attracted her to the Left Party was its focus on social issues, especially lowering prices and making rents affordable for everyone.

Katrin Weisse from the German Foundation for Children and Youth believes that these options are related to issues that directly affect the lives of young people, stressing that young people want solidarity, participation, and better prospects for their future.

Young people vote for issues more than parties

Although the Left Party is portrayed by its competitors as a radical party, election data do not confirm that young people are more politically extreme. The Alternative for Germany party recorded its highest percentage of support among voters between the ages of 60 and 69 years, compared to only 12% among the 16- to 24-year-old group.

Political researcher Algeveon Ove believes that age does not necessarily mean a greater inclination towards anti-democratic parties, explaining that what distinguishes young people is their voting according to issues rather than their association with a specific party. In the 2021 elections, the issue of environmental and climate protection was a key factor in many of them turning towards the Greens, while the housing crisis in Berlin made the Left Party more attractive in the last elections. Thus, young people's choices largely reflect their daily life issues and aspirations for the future, and not necessarily a steady shift toward more extreme political positions.

Translated into Arabic: A.F