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BERLIN - Germany is going into an election that political analysts describe as the most important in the country since World War II. Young voters will have their say as the country debates maintaining long-standing policies or embracing generational changes as the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) looks for an electoral breakthrough.
Zoe Sanz, 20, is eager to vote in the parliamentary election for the first time.
“I’m really nervous about the result that is going to come out of it because of AfD, and I am genuinely nervous about everything surrounding it as well because lately there have been lots of demonstrations and stuff and I hope that they work,” she told Rudaw in Berlin.
The economy and immigration are important issues this election cycle, but young German voters are also focused on global problems such as climate change, digital transformation, and human rights.
Phoebe Leonie Roth, 21, has special needs. She said she will vote for the party that has a good platform for people with special needs and climate change.
“I believe in the Left but also the Greens. I want to see someone who actually writes on the flag we use something about climate change, this is a very very very important topic that not a lot of - or better - none of the parties really had in their program this time,” she said.
This election has excited not only German youth but also young Kurdish men and women living in the country.
Kamila Khalaf is from Qamishli in northeast Syria (Rojava) and this is the first German election she is eligible to participate in.
“We work very hard with the SPD party because they come to us and we go to them. They ask us what we need and what we lack, and they help us a lot,” the young voter said, referring to the Social Democratic Party.
Raman Ali, 22, hails from Rojava’s Afrin. His first vote will go to the Left Party.
“There is a feeling inside me that speaks of freedom or something that says you can write your own future. For me, the most interesting are Die Linke [Left Party] and SPD, and also the Greens, but not 100 percent. But what I like 100 percent is Die Linke,” she said.
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