Can €100 per person funding curb far-right support in vulnerable regions?
A new study suggests that increasing infrastructure funding by €100 per person in certain regions could reduce support for the AfD by about one percentage point. The findings highlight how targeted economic incentives might ease concerns in areas worried about future decline. The research, led by economist Jens Südekum from Düsseldorf University, shows that financial support could make a noticeable difference in voting behaviour. The strongest impact appears in districts where many workers rely on carbon-intensive industries or produce goods with high CO₂ emissions.
Südekum argues that regional funding should not just target struggling areas. Instead, it should also reach regions that are currently stable but fear economic downturns. The study indicates that economic incentives can help calm anxieties about future job losses or industrial decline. The proposed €100 per capita increase in infrastructure spending aims to weaken the AfD’s appeal in vulnerable districts. By addressing economic concerns before they worsen, the policy could shift voter sentiment in areas tied to high-emission industries.
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