Youth and Populism in Europe: Understanding Generational Trends

Abstract

Across Europe, younger generations are reshaping the political field, displaying voting patterns that diverge significantly from those of previous cohorts. While younger voters have historically been associated with progressive values and pro-European attitudes, recent trends indicate a growing appeal of right-wing populist and Eurosceptic parties among certain youth segments. This panel explores the underlying dynamics of this shift, investigating how generational experiences, socio-economic factors, and ideological divides shape contemporary youth political behavior. By analyzing trends across multiple national contexts, this panel contributes to our understanding of how young voters engage with democracy and what this means for the future of European politics. The first paper, Euroscepticism and Support for Right-Wing Populist Parties among Young Europeans (Smets & Angelucci), examines the extent to which younger cohorts are becoming more Eurosceptic and anti-elite, assessing their impact on right-wing populist voting patterns. The second paper, Growing Apart: How Cohort, Gender, and Education Shape Support for the New Left and the Populist Right (Schäfer & Steiner), highlights the widening gender-education gap in political preferences, revealing how highly educated young women lean toward the New Left while less-educated young men increasingly support radical right parties. The third paper, First-Time Voters, Anti-Immigrant Sentiments, and Radical Voting: The 2024 Elections in Belgium (Hooghe & Stiers), focuses on first-time voters, exploring whether they are more susceptible to radical right parties due to political dealignment and anti-immigrant attitudes. Together, these papers provide a comparative perspective on the realignment of youth voting behavior, offering critical insights into the factors driving support for populism among young Europeans.

Title	Details
Euroscepticism and support for right-wing populist parties among young Europeans	View Paper Details
Growing apart: How cohort, gender, and education shape the support for the New Left and the Populist Right	View Paper Details
First-Time Voters, Anti-Immigrant Sentiments, and Radical Voting: The 2024 Elections in Belgium	View Paper Details