AfD gains significant support among German working class

Recent data and reports highlight a significant shift in voting behavior among the German working class. According to research from Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, the AfD became the strongest force among workers during the 2025 federal election, capturing 30 percent of this demographic.

Specific data from the WSI indicates that AfD preference reached nearly 37 percent among production workers and 27 percent among service sector employees. A notable regional divide exists, with 55 percent of production workers in eastern Germany favoring the AfD compared to 34 percent in the west. Among those identifying as workers, approximately 36 percent voted for the AfD, while only 18 percent of employees supported the party.

This trend reflects a decline in support for the SPD among traditional working-class voters. While some former SPD supporters have moved toward the AfD, citing concerns over migration and a perceived loss of the party's identity, others have shifted to Die Linke due to dissatisfaction with the SPD's handling of social inequality.