Analyzing First-Time Voters in the 2024 European Elections: A Comparative Study of Youth Electoral Behavior in Greece

The proposed paper presents a comparative analysis of the electoral behavior of first-time young voters in the European elections of 2019 and 2024 in Greece. This study aims to investigate the views, attitudes, and values of these young voters, especially in the context of the 2024 European elections. Building upon the findings of a similar survey conducted in 2019 (Panagiotidou, Chadjipadelis, 2021), this research repeats the survey with a focus on the first-time voters of 2024. A significant sample of approximately 4,000 university students in Thessaloniki, Greece, will be analyzed using a two-step multivariate data analysis approach, combining Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Factorial Correspondence Analysis (AFC) (Benzecri, 1974). The study will explore how these young individuals form their "democratic self" and "moral self," considering their moral values (Taylor, 1991) and symbolic representation (Marangudakis, Chadjipadelis, and Panagiotidou, 2021). Key aspects such as political mobilization, interest in politics, being informed about political issues, and demographic factors will be jointly analyzed to gain insights into the political behavior profiles of young, first-time voters. This research aims to produce a behavioral map representing the political inclinations and choices of these voters. Conjoint analysis will be utilized to identify key factors influencing their voting decisions. This study will contribute to the literature on voting behavior by illustrating contemporary typologies of young voters, visualizing the dynamics of political competition and behavior, and highlighting critical factors influencing voting choices. In a comparative context, this research will shed light on the evolution of youth electoral behavior since 2019, considering the impact of significant crisis events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, energy crisis etc) on their political and moral perspectives, voting criteria, willingness to participate in elections, and other political behavior variables. The methodology will offer a comprehensive behavioral map for the two election periods, highlighting variations in youth behavior and contributing to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon in a comparative framework.