The present invention relates to a method for the galvanic deposition of zinc and zinc alloy coatings from an alkaline coating bath with a reduced degradation of organic bath additives. An electrode that contains metallic manganese and/or manganese oxide and is insoluble in the bath is hereby used as an anode. The electrode is produced from metallic manganese or an alloy comprising at least 5% by weight of manganese, or from an electrically conductive substrate and a metallic manganese and/or manganese oxide-containing coating applied thereto, or from a composite material, wherein the coating and the composite material comprise at least 5% by weight of manganese. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the galvanic deposition of zinc-nickel alloy coatings from alkaline zinc-nickel baths since the formation of cyanides can be very effectively inhibited.