Turkish voters in Germany break tradition voting partly for far-right, expert notes

The security conference in Munich showcased an unprecedented moment with US Vice President Vance’s speech, highlighting US’s attempt to export its revolution on the make with no tariffs—as Germany stands as an actor capable of influencing these transformations.

Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU alliance, led by Friedrich Merz, emerged as the front-runner in Sunday’s elections, securing between 28.5% and 29% of the vote, up from 24% in the previous federal election in 2021, according to first TV exit polls. However, despite the lead, the party fell short of the parliamentary majority needed to govern alone. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) followed in second place with record 19.5% to 20%, nearly doubling its share from the 2021 election.

In our latest X Spaces talk, Türkiye Today asked what these results mean with a panel of experts: Zafer Mese, SETA Berlin Coordinator and former CDU advisor; Jacopo Pastorelli from the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center; and Oliver Mayer-Rüth, seasoned journalist for ARD/BR TV.

Mese commented that some of Turkish voters surprisingly voted for far-right AfD despite their tradition of voting predominantly for SPD and the Greens due to their positive migration policies. Mese argued that this new voting current may indicate that Turks now see themselves as an integral part of the German society.

Mayer-Rüth emphasized the importance of Germany’s refugee problem in the voting behaviour of Germans. He noted that Germans across political spectrum voice their disconfort with the current refugee problem in public spaces more than ever.

🔍 Key Questions Explored:

• What are the main concerns driving German voters this election?
• Is Germany’s “firewall” against the far-right sustainable?
• With SPD and CDU/CSU possibly forming a coalition without the Greens, what compromises could emerge?
• How should CDU’s Merz approach a potential Trump presidency?
• Could Germany distance itself from the United States?
• How do young and first-time voters shape this election?
• Why did Turkish voters in Germany break tradition and partly support the far-right?

Join our X Spaces talk and catch the full conversation on our website and YouTube channel.