Media, Language, Identity and the War: Analysing the Voting Behaviour of the Russian-German Minority

The voting behaviour of immigrant-origin voters is a crucial aspect of electoral dynamics in multicultural democracies, yet how specific foreign policy views influence their political preferences is less understood. Russian-Germans, a significant immigrant group in Germany, present a unique case in the 2025 Bundestagswahl, particularly concerning their views on the war in Ukraine and support for the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). This study examines this relationship, considering the BSW’s critical stance on military aid to Ukraine. Psychological mechanisms related to social identity and media effects, including the consumption of Russian-language media and social media, potentially underpin this connection. These factors may amplify the alignment with BSW's foreign policy positions. Using regression analysis on German Longitudinal Election Study (GLES) panel data, we find that Russian-Germans opposing military support for Ukraine are more likely to support the BSW. These findings contribute to broader discussions on the political behaviour of immigrant-origin voters and the role of foreign policy in shaping their electoral choices.