Whose youth? Far right youth wings and the progressive challenge

What will the future of the far right look like? It is a question worth asking at a time when their rise in the polls and their dominance of national media discourse have become key characteristics of European politics. Characteristics that threaten to continuously undermine democratic standards and poison public debate. 

What better way to tackle this question than by looking at the next generation of their leaders in the most systematic way possible? In this public event, Cas Mudde, one of the leading scholars on the far right, will present insights from a new book examining the youth wings of ten populist radical right (PRR) parties across Europe. Together with the author, we will examine their mobilisation, socialisation, internationalisation, professionalisation, and normalisation. 

Following the presentation, Cas Mudde will discuss the book with Mariam Asghari, Secretary General of the Young European Socialists, and Sabrina Repp, S&D MEP. The panel will shift attention to how far-right youth wings compare to progressive ones. Are they fishing in the same ponds for members? What are the key differences between them and social democratic youth movements? Where might 

Where might strategies lie to strengthen progressive youth movements, and weaken far right ones?

For more information regarding the event, please do not hesitate to contact Matteo Dressler, Policy Analyst on Democracy and Participation, FEPS (matteo.dressler@feps-europe.eu) and Alice Nicaise, Project Officer, FEPS (alice.nicaise@feps-europe.eu).