Is it protest or policy? What are young people saying that mainstream parties refuse to hear?

Youth participation in democratic elections is at a historic low. Moreover, growing numbers of young voters, particularly from Generation Z and Millennials, are supporting far-right parties. This shift is striking given that today’s youth are among the most educated generations. For mainstream European parties, this trend signals a pressing need to understand the causes of both youth abstention and extremist support. Are these votes acts of protest, or symptoms of deeper political dissatisfaction? To retain relevance and counter the rise of extremism, centrist parties must engage directly with young people, listen to their concerns and respond meaningfully. This article examines how ideology, gender and policies influence the younger generations’ motivation for participating in elections. Scholars have proposed various explanations, but urgent action is needed to reconnect with this critical demographic.