Photo: Henning Kaiser / dpa
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Aver, in the past, many Germans of Turkish origin traditionally voted for the SPD.
Is that still true?
Aver:
According to our representative surveys, this bond is dissolving.
We used to have 60 to 70 percent approval of the SPD in the German-Turkish community.
Now I assume that a good third will vote for the SPD, 15 to 20 percent for the CDU, the left around 15 percent, and the Greens 7. The FDP hardly plays a role at 3.4 percent.
Neither does the AfD.
SPIEGEL:
Where did this change come from?
Aver:
The diversification shows the degree of social integration. Many German-Turks today have an academic education, they are more socially mobile than the generation before them, which mostly belonged to the classic working class. But the SPD has also disappointed many, for example with the debate about dual citizenship. Hartz IV was also a huge issue among German Turks. On the other hand, the CDU pursued a liberal migration and integration policy and tried to open up to Muslim migrants by emphasizing the same conservative values, such as the family. This is popular among conservative people of Turkish origin.
SPIEGEL:
It is said that Armin Laschet, as a former integration minister in North Rhine-Westphalia, has a stone in the board with many German Turks.
Aver:
Right.
But is that why they want him to be Chancellor?
For many, issues such as educational equality, unemployment or racism are important.
Or the role of religions: how do we want to live in a diverse society?
Issues that hardly play a role in the election campaigns of the established parties.
Above all, disappointed conservative German Turks therefore turn their backs on them.
For them, a splinter party like "Team Todenhöfer - The Justice Party" is currently very interesting.
SPIEGEL:
893,000 German Turks are eligible to vote.
In terms of voter turnout, they were recently 12 percentage points below the average.
And this time?
Aver:
I think that voter turnout will increase, also because there is growing sensitivity within the German-Turkish community to participate politically.
You can see that in the discussions on social media.
It's sometimes very controversial.
I think that's good news.
BEL
