Germany's young men turn to far-right AfD as Greens push feminist outreach
A growing divide in voting habits among young Germans has put the spotlight on how political parties engage with men. In the last federal election, men under 24 leaned heavily toward the far-right AfD, while women of the same age backed centre-left parties. Meanwhile, Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszak has been pushing for new ways to involve men in feminist discussions—even if it means challenging traditional ideas of masculinity. The gap in political preferences became clear after the latest federal vote. Young men under 24 showed stronger support for the AfD, whereas their female peers favoured parties like the Greens or the SPD. The trend has raised concerns about how to address the needs and attitudes of young men.
Felix Banaszak, co-leader of the Green Party, has taken an active role in reaching out to this group. In February, he gave an interview to *Playboy*, using the platform to share feminist ideas with a male audience. His approach hasn’t been without self-criticism, though. After actor Collien Fernandes accused Christian Ulmen of assault, Banaszak adopted a tougher stance—not just toward other men, but also toward himself. He has openly admitted that engaging men in feminism requires a careful balance. Too much confrontation risks alienating them, while too much goodwill might soften the message. His argument is simple: rigid gender norms harm men as well as women, so men should see feminism as something that benefits them too. Banaszak’s efforts go beyond words. He has visited *Vaterwelten* in Krefeld, an organisation running birth-preparation courses for fathers, and is pushing for better funding for similar groups. Even his office reflects his stance—he painted it pink, a colour he likes, despite traditional associations with femininity. His choice echoes soccer goalkeeper Tim Wiese, who wore pink on the pitch two decades ago without facing backlash over his masculinity. The AfD, meanwhile, has taken a different approach. In a video before the 2024 European elections, AfD politician Maximilian Krah told young men struggling to find partners to 'be on the right.' The comment underscored the party’s appeal to disaffected young men, framing political identity as a solution to personal frustrations. Within the Green Party, Banaszak has also faced pressure from the German Women’s Council. They convinced him to create dedicated spaces where men can discuss gender issues—an attempt to foster dialogue without defensiveness.
The political landscape shows a clear split in how young men and women vote. Banaszak’s initiatives aim to bridge that gap by making feminism more accessible to men, whether through media appearances, funding for men’s groups, or symbolic gestures like a pink office. The success of these efforts could shape how parties engage with young male voters in the future.
