Turning left instead of right? The effects of labour market policies in voting for the radical left

One of the expanding segments within literature on voters of the radical right comprises individuals who face risks in the labour market. Recent studies found that workers most at risk are most likely to vote for radical right-wing parties; this dynamic increases with government protection or services. While we know that the radical right gains votes by people uncertain by global competition and immigrant labour, we know very little about how these labour policies have an effect on voting for radical left parties, fundamentally known for their strong redistribution policies. This research aims to investigate how the preferences of individuals to vote for radical left parties are influenced by the visibility and extent of contemporary initiatives at the country level, which aim to mitigate labour market risks. Importantly, the analysis explores whether occupational characteristics and government policies have varying effects on support for radical left parties. The study utilizes data from three rounds of the European Social Survey and focuses on a sample of 14 West European nations. We find that different types of labour market policies affect the voting propensities of employed voters in a heterogenous manner. Future scholars should thus be cognizant of policy feedbacks as it relates to voting for the radical left.