Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Why young Italians are turning against Meloni ahead of 2027
This story is about young people in Italy and how they feel about their prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Many young Italians are not happy with her government right now.
Polls show that fewer than three out of ten young voters support her coalition, while about half support the centre-left opposition.
Young people say the government has not done enough to help them find good jobs or get a good education.
Italy has one of the lowest rates of young people with jobs compared to other countries in Europe that use the euro.
Also, a young person who graduates in Germany often earns much more than a graduate in Italy.
Young men and young women in Italy do not agree on politics; boys are more likely to like right-wing parties, while girls are more likely to like left-wing ones.
Some young people have protested against the government's security rules, like a big protest called "No Meloni Day."
In a recent vote, lots of young people showed up and voted against a reform the prime minister supported.
Analysts think that if many young people vote in the 2027 election, they could change the result.
Meloni's coalition has under 30% support among Italian voters under 35, versus almost 50% for the centre-left opposition, according to Youtrend polling.
Only 25% of under-35 voters approve of her government, compared with 35% among the population as a whole.
Analysts link youth dissatisfaction to a lack of economic reforms: low youth employment, low education spending, and a wage gap with Germany.
Young men lean right while young women lean left; Brothers of Italy has 15% support among men aged 18-29 but just 4.2% among women.
In the March referendum, 67% of under-35s turned out and 60% rejected Meloni-backed justice reform, showing youth voters could be decisive in 2027.
- Who
- Young Italian voters under 35 (including Gen Z) and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition.
- What
- Younger voters are increasingly turning away from Meloni's government ahead of the 2027 national election, with many leaning toward the centre-left opposition.
- When
- Ahead of the 2027 national election, with polling and analysis reported now (following the 2025 'No Meloni Day' protest and a March referendum).
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- Young Italians cite a lack of economic reforms, low employment, low education spending, wage gaps, stricter security policies, and frustration over measures seen as targeting the young.
Critics of the government's youth policies
Meloni government's defenders
Security and law-and-order measures
Critics of the government's youth policies
Critics argue measures targeting rave parties, street protests, squatting and juvenile crime disproportionately affect younger people.
Meloni government's defenders
Security and law-and-order measures
Critics of the government's youth policies
Meloni government's defenders
The government defends its policies as an effort to strengthen public order and tackle crime.
Criminal responsibility of minors
Critics of the government's youth policies
Critics oppose a bill making those aged 14-17 fully responsible unless proven otherwise, reversing the existing presumption-based system.
Meloni government's defenders
Critics of the government's youth policies
Meloni government's defenders
The government has proposed the bill to change rules governing the criminal responsibility of minors.
Education spending
Critics of the government's youth policies
Young demonstrators oppose education spending cuts, which they say hurt their opportunities.
Meloni government's defenders
Critics of the government's youth policies
Meloni government's defenders
The government's policies face criticism over spending, with Italy spending less on education than almost all euro-zone partners.
- Coalition support among under-35s
- Under 30% (vs almost 50% for centre-left opposition)
- Government approval among under-35s
- 25% (vs 35% overall)
- Young graduates who left Italy 2020-2024
- More than 100,000 (Bank of Italy)
- Under-35 turnout in March referendum
- About 67%, with 60% rejecting the reform
- National Future party polling
- Around 7%
- Brothers of Italy support among 18-29
- 15% of men vs 4.2% of women
- 5-Star Movement support among under-30s
- 18% of women vs 5.1% of men
- Juvenile prison population increase
- Rose 50% after a 2023 decree (Antigone)