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Generation Z's political shift: Why young Europeans are embracing extremes

Democracy's future in Europe may hinge on its youngest voters. From far-right surges to deep disillusionment, their values defy easy stereotypes.

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2 min read
The image shows an old map of Europe from the 19th century, depicting the political divisions of...
The image shows an old map of Europe from the 19th century, depicting the political divisions of the European Union. The map is printed on a paper with text at the top and bottom.

Generation Z's political shift: Why young Europeans are embracing extremes

A new study has revealed shifting political attitudes among young Europeans. The Allianz Foundation's Next Generations Study surveyed over 8,500 people aged 18 to 34 across the EU's five largest countries. The findings challenge assumptions about Generation Z's political leanings and values.

While many still identify with the political centre, a notable minority back far-right or authoritarian views. Support for democracy itself appears shaky in some nations, with nearly three in ten young people in France and Poland endorsing a 'democratic backlash'.

The survey covered young adults in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland. It found that 40% or more in each country consider themselves politically centrist. This contradicts the idea that younger generations uniformly favour left-wing policies.

Spain stood out for its left-leaning tendencies, with 28% supporting left-wing or far-left parties—the highest among the five nations. Poland, meanwhile, had the lowest share at 19%. Instead, Poland showed the strongest backing for right-wing parties at 35%, followed by France (33%), Spain (30%), and Germany and Italy (both 26%). Far-right views were most pronounced in Poland and France, where 17% of respondents embraced them. More worrying, 11% overall—and 17% in France—supported extreme measures to suppress political opposition. This aligns with broader disillusionment: 47% of young Europeans reported feeling deeply disillusioned with politics. Despite these divisions, a strong sense of European identity persists. Some 85% of respondents feel connected to Europe, though levels vary. Italy and France showed the most scepticism. Sustainability also remains a priority, with 65% willing to accept slower economic growth and fewer consumer choices for a cleaner environment and meaningful political participation. The study did not track subsequent changes in attitudes, leaving open questions about how these trends may evolve by 2026.

The findings highlight a complex political landscape among young Europeans. While a majority still value democracy and sustainability, a significant minority in countries like France and Poland show openness to authoritarian or far-right ideas. The data also underscore widespread political frustration, with nearly half of respondents expressing disillusionment.

These results provide a snapshot of Generation Z's priorities and concerns—but without further research, shifts in these attitudes remain unclear.

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