On Sunday, September 23, 2025, Gesa Schönwolff, an 18-year-old volunteer, played a crucial role at a polling station in Berlin. Her responsibilities included guiding voters into the building and checking their IDs. For Schönwolff, this day marked a significant milestone as she cast her vote for the first time in her life, an experience she found exhilarating.
Schönwolff expressed her enthusiasm for participating in Germany's democratic process, especially in light of the pressing global issues she perceives, such as climate change, Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, the rise of political extremism, and the challenges posed by a new U.S. administration that seems to favor Russian President Vladimir Putin. She articulated her concern over the increasing volume of authoritarian voices globally, emphasizing her hope for a government that can effectively address these concerns on an international scale.
In casting her vote, Schönwolff chose to support the Greens party, known for its commitment to climate-friendly policies and the advocacy for robust Western support for Ukraine. She believes that the Greens align best with her values and priorities, particularly regarding climate protection. Schönwolff noted her disappointment that other political parties appear to be neglecting this critical issue amid the current political discourse.
The surge of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has become a notable concern in German politics, fueled by years of migration and security apprehensions following several attacks linked to migrants from countries like Syria and Afghanistan. While Schönwolff acknowledges the fears surrounding immigration, she feels that the overemphasis on migration detracts from other essential issues such as climate protection, education, and social justice.
Schönwolff's reflections came after she voted in Pankow, a middle-class district in northern Berlin, where she initially volunteered. Following her voting experience, she planned to return to help count the votes once the polls closed. Her experience at the polling station showed her that, despite being young, her contributions and opinions were taken seriously by other volunteers. However, some of her friends, still under the voting age of 18, were disappointed as they too wanted a voice in the significant issues facing their country. Their disappointment was exacerbated by the early calling of elections, which came after a collapse of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition late the previous year.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment and hope, Schönwolff expressed her satisfaction with being able to vote, particularly as a means of countering the rightward shift in the political landscape. “I am very happy that I was able to vote today and of course, I hope that my vote can counteract the shift to the right,” she stated, highlighting the personal significance of the moment.
