Right-wing movements rise amid European economic and demographic anxieties

Political shifts in Europe are being marked by the rise of right-wing movements driven by economic and demographic anxieties. In Germany, projections for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt suggest a significant surge, potentially reaching 43.8% to 44.5%, more than doubling its 2021 figures.

In Italy, Roberto Vannacci and the Futuro Nazionale party are tapping into similar fears regarding a perceived scarcity of future opportunities. Futuro Nazionale’s program includes proposals such as a ‘Parental Income’ (Reddito di Genitorialità), which aims to link birth rates with employment by allowing parents to transfer public support to others if they leave the workforce to care for children. Critics note that such measures may fail to account for the complexities of professional skills and the long-term employment risks faced by women after maternity leave.

These trends reflect a broader European struggle with aging populations, deindustrialization, and a perceived loss of global competitiveness, leaving traditional political parties struggling to address voter concerns regarding the preservation of existing standards of living.