Assessing the impact of nationalist parties on the sustainability of democracy: The perceptions of Romanian students in the context of 2024 European parliamentary elections

This study explores the impact of nationalist parties on the sustainability of democracy, focusing on Romanian students' perceptions in the context of the 2024 European Parliamentary elections. The rise of nationalist and populist parties across the European Union has sparked concerns about the potential erosion of democratic values and stability. Using a descriptive exploratory research design, data were collected via an electronically distributed questionnaire from 417 students representing diverse educational and socio-demographic backgrounds. The analysis revealed significant associations between students' socio-demographic factors and their trust in nationalist parties, as well as their perceptions of these parties' impact on democracy. Higher education levels correlated with more pronounced negative perceptions of nationalist parties. Age, gender, residence, education, and socio-economic status also played crucial roles in shaping these perceptions. The findings highlight a moderate awareness among students regarding the under-mining effects of nationalist parties on democracy, with significant concerns about misinformation, political polarization, and the erosion of democratic institutions. The study underscores the need for enhanced civic education and reliable information to foster informed political opinions and sustain democratic values amidst the rising influence of nationalism.