Convergence or Divergence? Analyzing Voter and Party Positions on EU Strategic Challenges 

Despite mainstream parties retaining the majority, the 2024 European Parliament elections revealed a surge in support for far-right Eurosceptic parties. Notably, "Fratelli d’Italia" (Italy) achieved 28.8% of the vote, making it the most-voted party; "Rassemblement National" (France) gained 31.3%, also the most popular choice; and "Alternative für Deutschland" (Germany) secured 15.9%, ranking as the second most-voted. Particularly concerning is the increase in youth support for these movements: "Rassemblement National" led among young French voters, while "Alternative für Deutschland" tripled its share of the youth vote compared to 2019. The success of these extremist political forces poses significant challenges to achieving consensus in the EU, hindering the bloc’s ability to respond decisively to contemporary challenges. Paradoxically, while these Eurosceptic parties often question the EU’s very existence and critique its influence, key issues in their campaigns—such as migration, defense, and security—require transnational solutions. Moreover, 39% of young Europeans support deeper EU integration and greater cooperation on policies like climate change. In Spain, historically a pro-European Union member state, rising support for far-right Eurosceptic parties like VOX and “Se acabó la Fiesta” reveals growing public dissatisfaction with the EU’s handling of issues such as migration. These parties have adopted a critical stance, emphasizing national sovereignty and resonating with discontented voters. Interestingly, this trend also affects younger voters, with 12% supporting VOX and 10% backing “Se acabó la Fiesta.” This paper seeks to examine the alignment between citizens' views on advancing EU integration—particularly in areas such as migration, security, and defense—and the positions of the political parties they support, focusing on Spanish voters as a case study. Considering an apparent preference for greater EU cooperation in some policy areas, we will analyze whether their attitudes toward deeper integration align with the Eurosceptic positions of the parties they vote for. This analysis aims to shed light on the growing dissonance within the EU electorate, particularly among youth, as they balance national sovereignty concerns with the desire for EU-level solutions.