Young Generation Turns Right: East-German Youth Fatigued by Crises

berlin - The recent state elections in Germany have raised questions about the rising popularity of radical right-wing parties among the youth in East Germany.

The recent state elections in Germany have raised questions about the rising popularity of radical right-wing parties among the youth in East Germany. The dismantling of the socialist industry after German reunification in 1990 left many unemployed, leading to a wave of movements towards the capitalist West and leaving behind a disillusioned population.

Historian Katja Hoyer, born in Guben and raised near the border with Poland, believes that the dissatisfaction with the influx of migrants in 2015, among other factors, fueled the rise of the AfD and other populist movements in the region. She attributes the youth's shift to the right to a sense of uncertainty about their future, exacerbated by factors like lockdowns during the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

Coming from a family with ties to the former East German regime, Hoyer understands the complexities of the transition from the GDR to a reunified Germany. She highlights the psychological impact of losing familiar structures and facing new economic challenges, leading to a sense of disenchantment among the working class.

Hoyer also explores the historical context of East Germany's fear and distrust of the West, along with their ties to Russia. The lingering effects of the Soviet era still influence many in the region, impacting their views on global politics and conflicts like the war in Ukraine.

The issue of inequality and the perception of being 'second-class citizens' compared to their western counterparts continue to shape the identity of East Germans today. As debates around economic disparities and political ideologies persist, the younger generations in the East grapple with their place in a rapidly changing society.