Migration, security and crisis management: These are the top issues on people's minds in Germany ahead of the general election. This is the result of a study conducted by More in Common  in cooperation with the opinion research institute Verian entitled »Orientation Wanted: How Our Society Is Doing Before the Elections«. The study surveyed 2,023 people between September and October 2024.

Since 2019, More in Common has been examining the dynamics of German society at regular intervals. With its research, More in Common aims to understand how people in Germany are faring after years of challenges and in politically volatile times – and where positive change needs to begin. According to the authors, the results of the current study show "how bleak the social outlook is at the moment and what people are struggling with, but also that there is a strong desire for collective action.
 

Immigration Policy and Concerns about Social Cohesion dominate

The issue of migration is the top political concern for respondents. Around 43 percent – eleven percentage points more than in a comparable survey in early 2024 – said that this topic is very important to them. Almost three-quarters of respondents support the right to flee from war and persecution to other countries. Nevertheless, many are dissatisfied with the way politics manages migration; 68 percent are in favor of taking in fewer refugees overall.

Due to the focus on migration, security and crisis management, other issues have lost importance in the run-up to the federal elections. In the current survey, climate protection has slipped to seventh place. The war in Ukraine also concerns people significantly less than in previous years.

Many study participants are concerned about social cohesion in Germany: according to the study, 67 percent of those surveyed believe that our society is more divided than united. An equal number expect this situation to deteriorate further over the next five years. At the same time, the image of an unequal country has become entrenched: four out of five people believe that things are “rather unfair” in Germany.
 

Crisis management

A survey conducted in 2023 already shows that the economic situation is a concern for many people. Although inflation has slowed, by the end of 2024 only half of people feel financially secure, and almost as many are worried about falling down the social ladder. Compared to previous surveys, the perception that politicians are not taking decisive action to deal with the crisis has become more entrenched. The majority (71 percent) feel abandoned by politicians in times of crisis and do not believe in a better future. 

»This is a clear signal that people expect more when it comes to securing our future,« write the authors of the study. However, there can be no question of people being ‘tired of change’: four out of five respondents would like to see a stronger will to change. This is where civil society initiatives, associations and organizations can step in and provide impetus for positive change.

Even though More in Common's analysis currently diagnoses a »deficit of confidence« in German society, the study provides insights into what people expect from politics: »signals of direction, action, and future shaping.« The central question must be: "How do we get the engine of hope running and move the country forward?"

The full study is available for download here (German language). Further information can be found on the More in Common website.