Finance
Far-right labour group makes gains at audi, VW but misses breakthrough
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Germany’s dominant IG Metall union maintained control of works councils at Audi and Volkswagen but saw rising influence from the fringe far‑right Zentrum group, which won its first seats—highlighting worker discontent amid job cuts and EV transition.
Far-Right Labour Group Gains Seats at Audi and VW, Shaking Up Union Landscape
By Rachel More
Union Elections Signal Shifts in Germany's Automotive Sector
BERLIN, March 16 (Reuters) - Germany's top industrial union retained its stronghold on the works councils of factories belonging to Audi and parent company Volkswagen but lost some ground to a fringe far-right labour group as the country's automotive sector faces an uncertain future.
Challenges Facing German Automakers
German automakers are battling to keep up with stiff competition from China and a rapidly changing sector with electric vehicles and software, while also navigating tariff pressures. Volkswagen alone is cutting 35,000 jobs by 2030.
Zentrum's Breakthrough at Audi and Volkswagen
First Seats Won at Audi
Zentrum, a self-styled union affiliated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, said late on Sunday that it had won its first two seats at Volkswagen subsidiary Audi, at the premium carmaker's headquarters in Ingolstadt.
IG Metall Maintains Majority
The IG Metall union retained a comfortable majority on the 55-seat works council there, a works council spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Monday.
Recent Works Council Elections
Staff at Audi, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz in recent days elected representatives to their works councils, which negotiate with management on issues like working conditions and pay.
These bodies, elected every four years, are traditionally dominated by IG Metall.
Far-Right Campaigners Gain Traction
This year, far-right campaigners sought to build support among auto workers frustrated by tens of thousands of job cuts and the difficult shift to EV production.
Zentrum's Symbolic Win in Braunschweig
Zentrum also took two out of 35 seats on the Volkswagen works council in Braunschweig on Friday, a symbolic win at the carmaker's oldest plant and its first seats at the Volkswagen Group.
Overall Impact on Volkswagen Group
However, this was a small proportion of the roughly 360 seats at the group's German factories overall, a works council spokesperson said.
Zentrum's Future Ambitions
In a statement emailed to Reuters, Zentrum said the results were a nod to its work challenging IG Metall, which it blames for not preventing job cuts, and said it aimed to build its influence at other companies in the future.
(Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Key Takeaways
- •IG Metall retained clear majorities at Audi and VW works councils despite challenges from Zentrum.
- •Zentrum, an AfD‑affiliated fringe labour group, won its first two seats at Audi in Ingolstadt and two at VW’s Braunschweig plant, though still a small share overall.
- •The results reflect growing worker frustration over mass job cuts (e.g. VW’s 35,000 by 2030) and the difficult transition toward e‑mobility amidst global competition.
Frequently Asked Questions about Far-right labour group makes gains at Audi, VW but misses breakthrough
1What is Zentrum and what gains did it make at Audi and Volkswagen?
Zentrum is a far-right labour group affiliated with the AfD party. It won its first seats at Audi's and Volkswagen's works councils, gaining a small foothold.
2Why are auto workers in Germany frustrated?
Auto workers are frustrated by tens of thousands of job cuts and the difficult transition to electric vehicle production in the German automotive sector.
3How significant are Zentrum’s gains in the wider Volkswagen Group?
Zentrum won a small share, gaining just a few seats out of the approximately 360 council seats across Volkswagen’s German factories.
4What issues do works councils in German car companies negotiate?
Works councils negotiate with management on working conditions, pay, and labour issues. Representatives are elected every four years.