Fortin-Rittberger, Jessica, and Christina Eder. 2025. "Disentangling different types of sexist attitudes and vote choice in Germany." Political Research Exchange (PRX) 7 (1): 1-20.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2508382.
The Hidden Vote: How Sexism Shaped the 2021 German Election
A new study by Jessica Fortin-Rittberger (University of Salzburg) and Christina Eder (GESIS) reveals that hostile sexism had a measurable impact on the 2021 German federal election. Female chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock faced disproportionate rejection – even among her own party’s voters – due to sexist attitudes. But the findings go further: Hostile and modern sexism were linked not only to support for the far-right AfD, but also for conservative (CDU/CSU) and liberal (FDP) parties. The study uncovers how sexism operates not only through populist rhetoric, but also as a hidden force shaping mainstream vote choices – especially by pushing voters away from progressive parties like the Greens.