New political outsiders aim to win over jaded voters in European elections
- Political outsiders are attempting to capture discontent and distrust among jaded voters in the European elections.
- Eurofound Executive Director Ivailo Kalfin highlights EU social successes and future challenges as reasons to use your vote.
- Officials are urging young voters to participate, hoping for a strong youth turnout despite concerns about far-right support.
Alvise Pérez, a political figure and social media influencer in Spain, gathered 15,000 signatures quickly to run in the European elections. He has a large online following due to his videos criticizing political corruption and moral decline in Spain and Europe. Alvise is inspired by other outsider politicians like Javier Milei in Argentina and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador who challenge the system from outside. Explanation: Alvise's popularity comes from his online community. The European elections are considered less important, so people may vote for unconventional options. However, many disaffected voters often stay home instead of voting. Anti-establishment candidates like Alvise protest against the system without offering concrete solutions. Iustitia Europa, a party in Spain, aims to attract dissatisfied voters by advocating for human rights and challenging political limitations. The party believes that EU policies can address common crises effectively and strengthen the union. For example, the 2023 pay-transparency directive aims to reduce the gender pay gap in the EU. Explanation: Iustitia Europa seeks to represent those who feel unheard by traditional parties. The EU has made efforts to promote social dialogue and improve workers' rights. However, there are challenges that require more action from the EU, such as addressing job quality and increasing competitiveness in the labor market. Young voters play a crucial role in EU elections, but turnout among them is lower compared to older generations. Factors like education, job security, and housing influence young voters' attitudes towards democracy and political leadership. Explanation: Young voters have diverse views and are influenced by various factors like education and job stability. Some young people in countries like Bulgaria prefer strong leadership over democratic values. Initiatives promoting political education aim to engage young people in the democratic process and prevent the rise of extremist ideologies.