Berlin, Germany – New research from the Friedrich-Ebert-foundation (FES) sheds light on the factors influencing support for the Choice for Germany (AfD) party, notably in economically disadvantaged areas. The study, published in 2023, analyzed data across five distinct German regions, highlighting the correlation between living conditions, future prospects, and AfD voting patterns.
The findings indicate a clear trend: regions wiht superior public services and infrastructure tend to show lower support for the AfD. Conversely, areas struggling with economic hardship and limited access to essential services exhibit higher AfD voter shares. This suggests that the quality of public provisions plays a meaningful role in shaping electoral choices.
Infrastructure and AfD Support: A Closer Look
The study categorized Germany into five regions based on economic and social indicators. in dynamic urban centers like Munich, characterized by a high concentration of academics and robust infrastructure, the AfD’s vote share was lowest at 13.1%. In more stable, middle-income regions, such as rural western Germany, approximately 20.7% voted for the AfD.Former industrial areas, like the Ruhr region, which face significant debt and poverty, saw a similar AfD vote share of 19.2%. the highest support for the AfD, reaching 40.5%, was recorded in structurally weak eastern German regions, marked by particularly low incomes and a scarcity of medical professionals.
Further analysis pinpointed specific public services that strongly influence AfD support. A higher rate of childcare availability, improved internet connectivity, and a greater proportion of individuals with higher education qualifications were all associated with a reduced AfD vote share.
“when the school system consistently fails, daycare centers are closed, the internet is unreliable, public transport is absent, and accessing the nearest doctor involves a lengthy journey, people begin to feel abandoned.”
The study’s authors advocate for a considerable expansion of public infrastructure in economically weaker regions as a strategy to decrease AfD support and bolster democratic stability.
“The erosion of public services is detrimental to our democracy.”