Giorgia Meloni faces declining support among young Italian voters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces a significant political challenge ahead of the 2027 national elections as support among young voters, specifically Gen Z and those under 35, declines. According to YouTrend polling data, Meloni’s right-wing coalition holds less than 30% support among this demographic, while the center-left opposition commands approximately 50%.

Economic dissatisfaction is cited as a primary driver of this trend. Analysts point to a lack of concrete reforms to improve employment and opportunities for the youth. Eurostat data indicates that Italy has the lowest employment rate for 15-to-24-year-olds in the 21-country Eurozone. Furthermore, a Bank of Italy report notes that young graduates in Germany earn, on average, 80% more than their Italian counterparts of similar age and qualification.

Low investment in education and limited domestic opportunities have led to a significant brain drain, with over 100,000 young graduates leaving Italy between 2020 and 2024. Additionally, political preferences show a gender divide: research from Bocconi University suggests young men in Italy are leaning toward right-wing parties, while young women are moving toward the left.