A German survey found 82% of eligible voters believe politics gives young people’s concerns too little attention, while 73% said they understood the concerns behind recent youth protests.
The ARD-DeutschlandTREND, conducted by infratest dimap, surveyed 1,297 eligible voters by telephone and online from Nov. 2-4. Thirteen percent said politics handled young people’s concerns well.
A majority supported attending registered demonstrations. Overall, respondents rejected road blockades and occupations of public facilities, though younger voters were more evenly split over those tactics.
Among respondents ages 18 to 34, 29% named Die Linke and 21% AfD as the parties they most trusted to work for young people’s interests. Grüne received 12%, CDU/CSU 5% and SPD 3%. The figures reflect views of party competence on youth issues, not voting intentions.
The pollster connected the protests to concerns about schools and education, living costs and rents, and opposition to the reintroduction of conscription. Gen Z regelt’s position paper calls for public spending to strengthen education, social security, health care and climate protection, as well as steps to make living costs more affordable. The group also says young people should have a say in decisions affecting their future.
Gen Z regelt said its Oct. 31 demonstrations across 34 German cities drew 120,000 people, according to its post-event tally. The initiative’s Oct. 31 Instagram post called on supporters to join a youth strike on Nov. 20.
