Politics · Germany · 1 hr ago
Only 3% of young people trust Germany’s SPD to represent them
Only 3% of young people trust Germany’s SPD to represent them, according to a recent poll.
SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch called the result a “slap in the face,” while noting that polling can fluctuate.
He said the party must make policy with and for young people.
Miersch acknowledged that education funding has not been used as he would like, while pointing to the SPD’s record on climate policy and its decision not to introduce compulsory military service.
He said he sympathised with Generation Z’s protests, describing demonstrations for better education and action on major future issues as a legitimate part of democracy.
He also said violence at demonstrations must be prosecuted.
Miersch did not set out a specific next step, but said the poll showed the party needed to respond to young people’s concerns.
Only 3% of young people trust the SPD to represent their interests, according to a Deutschlandtrend poll reported by Funke media.
SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch called the result a “stinging slap in the face.”
Miersch said the party must make policy with and for young people.
He said more needs to be done on education, while pointing to the SPD’s record on climate protection and the decision not to introduce compulsory military service.
Miersch expressed support for youth protests but said violence at demonstrations must be prosecuted.
- Who
- Young people and the SPD, with SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch responding to the poll.
- What
- A poll found that 3% of young people trust the SPD to represent their interests. Miersch said the party must do more for young people.
- When
- The report was published on 15 November 2026; the poll’s exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Deutschlandtrend poll found that 3% of young people trust the SPD to represent their interests.
Miersch responded to the poll and commented on youth protests.
- Trust in SPD
- 3% of young people
- Poll
- Deutschlandtrend
- Respondent
- Matthias Miersch, SPD parliamentary group leader
- Report date
- 15 November 2026
- Military service
- Miersch said the SPD had not introduced compulsory military service
What people are saying
a stinging slap in the face
We must, of course, make policy with and for young people.
I look with absolute goodwill on the protests.
The isolated excesses of violence at the margins of the demonstrations so far must be consistently prosecuted.