Vote2025go

A tool for better understanding of German politics

Vote2025go – What Did We Do?


We took 12 statements from the popular German Wahl-o-mat, translated them into Russian, and added “pros” and “cons” to each one. We chose topics that would be interesting—areas where parties can’t agree (which means there’s something to discuss!).

After the survey, we calculated how closely participants’ answers aligned with the parties’ positions. We also asked a few questions about worldview, inequality, authoritarianism, self-identification, and interest in politics (all the things that make us interesting conversation partners at parties).

We also added some points that aren’t in Wahl-o-mat. Because they’re interesting too.

And here’s what we came up with! But first...


Important to know (or a disclaimer, if you want to be scientific)

– These 12 points aren’t the party’s entire platform. Imagine if you were judged solely on your favorite pizzas!

– These are campaign promises, not actual policy. In other words, plans for an ideal Monday, not the one that actually turns out.

– We only looked at parties that had a chance of getting into parliament (but, as life shows, not all of them made it).

– The sample of people surveyed is specific, but that’s what makes it more interesting!

So don’t jump to any sweeping conclusions. If we write “support the CDU’s positions,” keep this disclaimer in mind. And yet…


Who are these people?

1,399 people participated in the survey, with an average age of 35.7 years. There were slightly more men (796).

One in five (22%) was eligible to vote and planned to do so (the rest supported democracy in principle).

The majority (63%) have lived in Germany for no more than three years—they’re still adjusting, but they’re already interested in politics!


What do they think?

It turned out that attitudes toward inequality and a tendency toward authoritarianism are almost like a test of political preferences. The more a person believes in hierarchy and tough measures, the more likely they are to support certain parties. Moreover, two distinct groups emerged among the respondents—two sides of the same coin (or two different universes).



The survey has ended. The results will be published shortly on the Stimmenvielfalt Telegram channel.

Cluster “Freedom and Equality”

These people believe that equality is the natural state of society and that order can be maintained without an iron hand. Most often they agreed with the positions of the FDP, CDU, and Die Grünen. An interesting point: among supporters of the FDP and CDU there are especially many people who actively follow politics.


Cluster “Hierarchy, Order, and a Firm Hand”

At the other end of the spectrum are people who believe that equality contradicts human nature and that strict measures are necessary to keep everything under control. They more often agreed with the positions of AfD, Die Linke, and BSW. A curious nuance: this group includes more people who consider themselves “above average” in the social hierarchy.


By the way, psychological research shows that most people tend to think they are a bit better than others—whether in success, morality, or even humanity (and some even in their parking skills). The higher a person rates their own position, the more strongly they support the existing system—even to the point of justifying harsh methods to preserve it.


An unexpected twist!

Supporters of the SPD also appeared in the second cluster, but with one important detail: their choice is not connected to a sense of their own exceptionalism, but rather to a low level of interest in politics (perhaps they are simply tired of politics after the past few years?).


Which initiatives are they ready to support?

It turned out that even topics that were not included in the Wahl-o-Mat 2025 clearly divide our two clusters.


Supporters of the CDU, FDP, and Die Grünen more often support ideas such as:

– Environmental taxes – making environmental harm more expensive, while also accelerating progress toward climate goals.

– Wealth tax (Reichensteuer) – millions are better used for public needs than just sitting idle.

– Gender-neutral language – official texts should be inclusive (and perhaps a little longer).


Supporters of AfD, BSW, and Die Linke, in turn, are more likely to support:

– Pension reform where everyone is more responsible for themselves and the state intervenes less.

– Digitalization of public services – finally bringing bureaucracy into the 21st century!

– The return of compulsory military service – so that young people learn what discipline means (or at least what early mornings are).

– Higher taxes for businesses – large companies should contribute more.


What if everyone could vote?


As we mentioned earlier, only about one in five survey participants was actually eligible to vote in the elections. But what if all of our respondents had received a ballot?

An interesting fact: people without German citizenship are less likely to support restrictions on freedoms than those who already hold a German passport.


Here is how the preferences of those without citizenship look:


Less likely to support:

  • tightening migration policy
  • expanding the use of automatic facial recognition
  • restricting the right to strike
  • continuing support for Israel
  • the return of compulsory military service in Germany

More likely to support:

  • keeping dual citizenship
  • government support for renewable energy
  • digitalization of public services
  • gender-neutral language
  • taxes on environmentally harmful behavior

Why might this be the case?

One possible explanation is expectations. When people move to another country, they often hope that the new place will offer more opportunities for self-expression and freedom than they had before.


Those who have already settled in, however, may start to see things a bit differently—perhaps with a tax return in their hands 😅.

The tool vote2025go is part of the project 'Die Stimmenvielfalt — Elections 2025: Education Instead of Manipulation,' organized by the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung and WIR.DE Aktive Nachbarn. Learn more about the project and upcoming events here.
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