On 10–11 June 2026, FES and DGB organised the conference “Addressing Far-Right Ideas Inside Trade Unions” in Berlin. It was jointly organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Competence Centre on the Future of Work (Brussels), in cooperation with the Competence Centre on the Democracy of the Future (Vienna), and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB).
The conference brought together trade union representatives, researchers, communication specialists, and policy experts from across Europe. Its central aim was to examine the increasing resonance of far-right and right-wing populist narratives among workers and within trade union structures, and to explore how democratic organisations can respond effectively without losing sight of social realities and workplace concerns.
Across two days, participants engaged in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. The programme combined analytical perspectives with practical exchange, focusing on how far-right actors operate in workplaces, how their messages gain traction, and how trade unions can reinforce democratic culture, solidarity, and inclusion in increasingly fragmented social environments.
Over the past decade, far-right and right-wing populist movements have significantly intensified their efforts to appeal to workers across Europe. In doing so, they increasingly present themselves as defenders of labour, social protection, and national sovereignty, often defining their stance in explicit opposition to political elites and established democratic institutions.
Their communication strategies tend to build on widely shared and tangible concerns. Processes such as economic restructuring, globalisation, digital transformation, the expansion of artificial intelligence, and climate-related industrial change have generated considerable uncertainty across many segments of the labour market. Far-right actors frequently interpret these developments through simplified causal narratives, offering ostensibly clear explanations that attribute responsibility to migration, cultural change, or political elites.
This framing poses a growing challenge for trade unions. As organisations committed to solidarity, equal representation, and democratic participation, they are increasingly confronted with the reality that segments of their membership may be receptive to exclusionary narratives. This can generate internal tensions that affect organisational cohesion, collective bargaining capacity, and the broader role of unions as democratic actors within society.
In Germany, these dynamics are evident in targeted initiatives seeking to gain influence within workplace representation structures. A frequently cited example is the “Zentrum” initiative, which aims to establish a presence in works councils and position itself as an alternative voice for workers. Comparable developments can also be observed in other European countries, albeit with variation in organisational form and political salience.
Against this backdrop, discussions within the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the German Trade Union Confederation, and European partners have increasingly emphasised the need for more systematic engagement with these developments. The conference was conceived in response to this growing concern, providing a structured space for reflection, comparative analysis, and strategic exchange.
The conference was structured around a set of interrelated objectives. It sought to advance understanding of the narratives and communication strategies through which far-right actors seek to appeal to workers and trade union members, as well as to examine the modalities through which such actors operate within workplaces, including works councils, shop-floor relations, and informal networks of influence.
A further objective was to foster cross-national exchange, enabling participants to compare experiences across European contexts and to discern both convergent patterns and context-specific dynamics. In parallel, the conference placed particular emphasis on the development of practical communication strategies and organisational responses that can be integrated into trade union practice.
In his opening remarks, Reiner Hoffmann, deputy chair of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, recalled that debates about the rise of right-wing populism and threats to democracy have been taking place in Germany at least since the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) entered the Bundestag in 2017, with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung addressing these issues even earlier. Yet, as this conference clearly demonstrated, the topic remains as urgent and relevant as ever—not only in Germany, but across Europe. Hoffmann stressed that democracy cannot be taken for granted and that neutrality is not an adequate response when democratic values are under attack. Defending democracy, he argued, is not only a task for politics and education but also for workplaces and trade unions.
The conference opened with a keynote by Dr. Andreas Hövermann of the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung’s Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI). Drawing on recent German and European research, he highlighted the importance of workplace democracy in strengthening democratic attitudes and reducing support for far-right parties.
The presentation demonstrated that workers who experience meaningful participation through works councils and co-determination structures are more likely to trust democratic institutions and less likely to support anti-democratic political forces. Conversely, experiences of powerlessness, exclusion, and lack of influence can create fertile ground for far-right mobilisation.
Particular attention was given to current transformation processes, including climate policies, technological change, artificial intelligence, automation, and industrial restructuring. These developments often generate uncertainty among workers and can be instrumentalised by far-right actors. Strengthening participation, social dialogue, and worker involvement in transformation processes was therefore identified as a key democratic response.
The afternoon panel discussion explored the growing appeal of far-right parties among parts of the workforce. Speakers examined how economic insecurity, social fragmentation, declining trust in institutions, and perceptions of political neglect contribute to this trend.
Christina Schildmann, Head of the department for research funding, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, and Daniela Kolbe, Chair of DGB Saxony, discussed how far-right actors successfully offer simple explanations for complex economic and social challenges while redirecting frustrations away from structural causes and towards migrants or other vulnerable groups. At the same time, Helge Lindh, member of the German Bundestag, Ernst Hillebrand, Editor of the book “Right-wing populism in Europe - How do we respond?”, and Ludovic Voet, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) emphasised that moral condemnation alone is insufficient. Trade unions must instead provide credible alternatives that address workers’ concerns regarding economic security, social protection, and democratic participation.
The discussion underlined the unique role of trade unions as organisations capable of rebuilding trust, fostering solidarity, and creating spaces for democratic engagement at workplace level.
The conference workshops provided participants with practical insights into the strategies, narratives, and communication techniques employed by far-right actors, as well as effective trade union responses. Topics ranged from the growing use of artificial intelligence and synthetic media in far-right communication to anti-immigration rhetoric, workplace organising, and digital campaigning. Participants explored how far-right actors increasingly exploit online platforms, emotional narratives, and workplace grievances to gain influence among workers and trade union members. Through case studies, practical exercises, and comparative discussions, the workshops highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation, political polarisation, and changing patterns of communication.
A strong focus was placed on developing effective counter-strategies. Workshops examined trade union experiences from across Europe, identifying both common trends and national differences in far-right engagement with workers. Participants discussed how democratic actors can respond through compelling narratives, targeted communication, workplace organising, and stronger engagement with working-class audiences online. Particular attention was given to the role of the AfD and far-right workplace initiatives such as Zentrum, as well as to successful examples of trade union campaigns aimed at promoting solidarity, democratic values, and workers’ interests. The exchange of experiences and best practices underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation and innovative approaches in addressing far-right influence in the world of work.
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Oliver Philipp
Dr. Inga Sabanova
