Republikon Institute held an event titled Do Youth Want the Future? on October 16, where participants discussed the issues, role, and significance of young people in politics. During the international panel, experts and researchers from Poland and Italy shared insights from studies conducted in their respective countries on the political role of youth. Later, in the domestic panel, researchers, activists, and politicians discussed the political engagement, interest, and role of Hungarian youth. The event was moderated by Zoltán Ranschburg, Senior Analyst at the Republikon Institute.
Opening Speech: Gábor Horn (Chairman of the Board, Republikon Institute):
Horn Gábor opened the conference by emphasizing the importance of youth in contemporary politics. He highlighted that today's discussions would begin with an international panel, followed by a Hungarian panel focusing specifically on domestic youth-related issues in Hungarian politics.
International panel:
Milosz Hodun(Expert, Project: Polska! Association):
Milosz Hodun presented on the political engagement of Polish youth, particularly in the 2023 elections. He cited a recent poll indicating that the majority of young Poles (18-25) are pro-EU, although support for the EU is decreasing among the youngest voters, reaching a historic low. He noted the Polish EU Council presidency is upcoming, with initiatives aimed at educating young citizens who were born post-EU accession and are unfamiliar with life before EU membership. Hodun observed that support for the EU is consistent across urban and rural areas, with a slightly higher favorability in larger cities. Despite the decline in enthusiasm, young people are not in favor of leaving the EU, although strong support for membership has dropped below 50%.
The most pressing concerns for Polish youth are inflation and the rising cost of living, though issues like climate change and migration are seen as more critical for the EU rather than for Poland itself, according to the Polish youth. The 2023 Polish elections saw record turnout, especially among women and young voters, driven by opposition to the ruling PiS party. Hodun concluded by noting that while young people are more interested in politics than in previous years, their engagement is often sporadic, driven by specific issues rather than a deep interest in political processes.
Antonia Casella(R.I.D.E. - Rete Italiana per il Dialogo Euro-mediterraneo):
Antonia Casella shared insights from Italy, where youth political engagement is growing, but challenges remain. She discussed the contrast between regional elections, where left-of-center parties unite and succeed, and national or European elections, where they split and the right-wing prevails. She highlighted the candidacy of controversial figures in the 2024 EP elections like Ilaria Saris (a leftist candidate previously arrested in Budapest) and Roberto Vannacci (a far-right general known for his homophobic and sexist views).
Casella cited surveys showing that while many young Italians (18-25) support centrist and leftist parties, right-wing parties gain more electoral traction. She noted that 80% of young Italians are politically active in discussions, with around 70% participating in volunteer work. Despite their strong pro-EU stance, their trust in local and national institutions is higher than their trust in international bodies. The major issues for Italian youth are economic instability and mental health, with climate change ranking lower as an immediate concern. Many young Italians are considering leaving the country, with the most skilled individuals already doing so.
Márton Schlanger(Researcher, Republikon Institute):
Schlanger presented data from two simultaneous surveys conducted among Hungarian adults and youth. He found that Hungarian youth are more supportive of the EU than any other generation, with 77% expressing a pro-EU stance. However, they are split on whether EU integration should proceed further. Young Hungarians are less trusting of both national and international institutions than their older counterparts and show less interest in politics, with 80% claiming not to be engaged.
Despite low levels of political involvement, Hungarian youth are more inclined towards boycotting and activism compared to adults, though only 5% have actively boycotted something. Political participation in Hungary is generally low, with 90% of both adults and young people reporting no involvement in European Parliament campaigns. The surveys also showed that Fidesz and Tisza parties dominate the political landscape, but the youth, after Tisza, are more supportive of Momentum and the satirical MKKP compared to adults. Unfortunately, the far-right party Mi Hazánk is also gaining traction among young voters.
Schlanger pointed out that young people prioritize democracy, healthcare quality, and cost of living as their most pressing issues. Unlike adults, young people are less concerned about the threat of war, which was a key campaign theme for Fidesz. Youth political apathy has decreased slightly with the emergence of new parties like Tisza, but their willingness to vote still lags behind that of adults.
Panel Discussion: Moderated by Ranschburg Zoltán (Senior Analyst, Republikon Institute):
In the closing panel discussion, Milosz Hodun, Antonia Casella, and Schlanger Márton reflected on the findings presented. Hodun noted that young people in Poland are driven by specific causes, such as climate change or democracy, and are more likely to engage in activism during key moments, like the Supreme Court and abortion protests.
Casella observed that Italian political processes often move too slowly for young people, but right-wing parties tend to respond more quickly to issues, which is part of their electoral appeal. Schlanger added that in Hungary, parties built around strong personalities, such as Tisza, have seen success, though this alone is not sufficient for sustained political engagement.
The panel concluded by discussing the variations in youth priorities across Europe. While climate change ranks highly in most countries, economic issues and democratic concerns are often more immediate in countries like Hungary and Poland. The generational shift in political engagement reflects the different challenges young people face today, from housing crises to political disillusionment.
Domestic Panel:
Zoltán Ranschburg (Moderator): There's a common belief that young people are not interested in politics. However, in recent years, we have seen several movements organized by young people, like the FreeSZFE movement. Is this statement true, or just a cliché?
Ádám Nagy (Youth Researcher, Managing Director of Excenter Research and Development Center): Research shows that young people in the 2010s were more passive, but their activism seems to be increasing. However, we should not conflate movements like FreeSZFE or Fridays for Future with the general political activity of young people, as these represent smaller, more committed groups.
Tibor Závecz (Director of Závecz Research): It is important to revisit stereotypes from time to time. The mentioned movements are mainly big city related protests. The "Active Youth" research also indicates that while direct engagement with political figures has weakened, other forms of participation – such as protests, petitions, and boycotts – have increased. Organizational ties have loosened, but interest in public life and politics is visibly growing.
Benjamin Korózs (President of Societas): The young people of today have spent most of their lives under the Orbán regime. Political parties are significantly lagging behind in addressing young people, and Fidesz's popularity has plummeted among this age group. If parties do not take action by 2026, they risk losing even more support of the younger generation.
Lili Aschenbrenner (Fridays for Future): It's not civic activism that turns young people away, but rather the politicization of these issues by political parties. When parties latch onto an issue, young people often step back. Many feel that they lack the knowledge and experience to engage in institutional politics.
Zoltán Ranschburg: Do you think a political party can remain credible to young people in the long term?
Lili Aschenbrenner: It is possible, but it is a long and difficult process. For example, the Fridays for Future put together a program that was proposed to political figures, but by the end, we were exhausted, and the process was not as enjoyable as we expected.
Benjamin Korózs: The Szikra Movement is a good example of how a political message can turn into real action. In housing issues, for instance, they actively try to physically prevent evictions. Parties ca not maintain this level of engagement, which is why many young people become alienated from politics.
Zoltán Ranschburg: How do young people view climate change?
Lili Aschenbrenner: They consider it important, but other issues – like jobs and housing – are more pressing. Climate change often feels like a distant, intangible issue.
Benjamin Korózs: Hungarian young people are indeed frustrated with the current situation. Hungary’s economy is focused on a work-based approach, which leaves little room for addressing climate change.
Ádám Nagy: Research shows that young people do not leave the country because they think life is better elsewhere, but because they feel the situation in Hungary is hopeless.
Zoltán Ranschburg: Do you think schools bear responsibility for the political education of young people?
Ádám Nagy: Schools have a huge responsibility in this. The current structure of public education is too hierarchical and does not provide space for students to participate actively.
Lili Aschenbrenner: Education plays a key role, and political parties should create spaces where young people can participate in action-based activities within communities.
Benjamin Korózs: I agree. Local communities need to be strengthened since schools do not fulfill their role in civic education.
An event organised by the European Liberal Forum EUPF (ELF). Co-funded by the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content of the programme or for any use that may be made of it. The views expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament and/or the European Liberal Forum EUPF.
