Wie es zum Wahlerfolg der AfD in Gelsenkirchen kommen konnte

The article, authored by investigative journalist Tobias Hauswurz and published by CORRECTIV, a German non‑profit newsroom known for data‑driven reporting, examines the 2025 municipal election in Gelsenkirchen, North‑Rhine Westphalia. It links the Af‑D’s electoral breakthrough to structural deficits in the city’s housing market, including a large stock of derelict buildings, high vacancy rates and unaffordable rents. CORRECTIV’s focus on accountability and social justice frames the analysis for an audience concerned with sustainable urban development across Europe.

Gelsenkirchen’s residential fabric is characterised by “Schrottimmobilien” – roughly 3 000 dilapidated properties identified by the state. The city’s population has fallen to about 270 000, down from nearly 400 000 in its post‑war peak, leaving many empty units that are neither renovated nor repurposed. The municipal administration has begun to acquire and demolish these structures, receiving up to €100 million from the NRW state government for a ten‑year programme aimed at removing unsafe housing and freeing land for sustainable reconstruction.

The local council carries a heavy altschulden (legacy debt) load, compounded by high social‑welfare expenditures. Federal and state promises of additional funding for debt relief have been announced, yet the city’s fiscal constraints limit its capacity to invest in large‑scale retrofitting or new eco‑friendly construction without external support.

Since 2014, the city has experienced increased migration of Sinti, Roma and other groups from Romania and Bulgaria, often described by local authorities as “armutszuwanderung”. This influx has added pressure on already scarce affordable housing, while many migrants are accommodated in substandard, overcrowded dwellings lacking basic energy‑efficiency measures.

In the 2025 election, the Af‑D secured roughly 30 % of the vote, matching the SPD’s share and gaining 20 seats in the city council – the same number as the Social Democrats. The party’s platform includes “Remigration” policies and proposals to restrict Halal‑butcheries and foreign signage, reflecting a broader nationalist agenda rather than concrete housing solutions. The SPD’s loss of long‑standing dominance underscores voter frustration with inadequate housing policy and perceived neglect of sustainable development.

The demolition programme financed by the state aims to clear unsafe buildings, creating opportunities for eco‑friendly reconstruction. CORRECTIV reports that the city plans to replace demolished units with energy‑efficient housing, potentially integrating passive‑house standards and renewable‑energy installations. However, progress is hampered by limited municipal resources and the need for coordinated federal‑state support.

Compared with the 2020 municipal election, the Af‑D’s vote share in Gelsenkirchen rose by about five percentage points, mirroring a broader trend of right‑wing gains in regions with pronounced housing crises. Similar patterns are observable in other post‑industrial European cities where decaying stock, depopulation and fiscal stress converge. The Gelsenkirchen case therefore offers a cautionary example for pan‑European policymakers seeking to prevent housing decay from becoming a catalyst for political radicalisation.

Key take‑aways for a European audience include: the necessity of proactive demolition and redevelopment of unsafe housing, the importance of securing long‑term financing for energy‑retrofit programmes, and the value of integrating social‑housing strategies with climate‑neutral objectives. Addressing legacy debt and ensuring inclusive migration policies are also critical to maintaining social cohesion while advancing sustainable urban regeneration.