"Just Fix It" – The electoral map of Europe's cost of living crisis

There seems to be no end in sight to the cost of living crisis. But like every crisis, this one also presents an opportunity—to convince voters that progressive policies offer real, workable solutions. Yet so far, progressive political actors have failed to seize it, and meanwhile the far right continues to make inroads into this territory. But it’s not game over yet, explains Tibor Dessewffy.

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Recent data exploring public sentiment across eight countries (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland, France, and Romania) paints a stark picture. 

Cost of living remains the top concern across Europe—with 36% of respondents listing it as their most urgent issue. Immigration and healthcare matter too—but far less.

The first question that comes to mind is: why is this such an overarching issue, given the disparities in wealth among European nations? This is because the cost of living is always relative. A German pension might go far in Spain, a French benefit might be sufficient in Romania—but within its own national context, they often feel frustratingly inadequate.

Top lines from survey data show cost of living crisis matters everywhere and public trust has plummeted

Two things stand out from the data: First, the universality of the issue. The cost of living is not localized; it’s a shared European experience. Second, within this crisis, there are similar patterns: it is food and utility costs that dominate people’s minds.

The cost of living is not localized; it’s a shared European experience.

The concept of permacrisis might sound abstract, but it captures something real. This is not about short-term disruptions. People feel they are living in a chronic state of crisis.

And they’re not optimistic. In fact, the outlook on the cost of living for the year ahead remains largely pessimistic across the surveyed countries. This pessimism reflects more than price hikes. It resonates with Europe’s declining position in the global economy. The continent that once shaped the world is now struggling to maintain its standing. Interestingly, similar frustrations are now common in the United States, despite its relative economic success in recent decades.

In parallel, political trust has eroded. The foundational idea that politicians understand people’s pain—and try to do something about it—has largely collapsed. The public message is blunt: “Just fix it.”

But how?

The evidence suggests there is strong support for structural reforms—not just one-off handouts. Policy measures such as cutting VAT, reducing fuel taxes, and raising the minimum wage all enjoy strong support. And when it comes to attitudes to tax, most people don't want to pay more taxes themselves, but support higher taxes on the rich and big corporations to fund public services. 

The public desire for change is strong, but so far progressives have fallen short in capitalizing on this

Many people feel stuck in a broken status quo and view bold action in favour of substantial change as the path to a safer future. When it comes to the nature and pace of this change, there is widespread apprehension about sharp, radical departures that could create chaos or upheaval. Instead, most prefer to achieve change through consensus. 

Yet there is also clear demand for leadership that challenges the status quo and is unafraid to take risks. 

This makes it even more painful that progressive parties are not seen as fit to lead this change. Only a small minority associate them with core issues like employment, social security, or cost of living. For many, their proposals and stances on these issues are perceived as unclear or simply absent. 

Progressive proposals and stances on these issues are perceived as unclear or simply absent. 

By contrast, far-right parties deliver a clear and consistent message: evidence suggests a majority of voters associate them with immigration; crime and security matters.

The implication is clear: Progressive parties face more than a messaging or communication problem. That’s part of it—but the deeper issue is the lack of a clear, compelling vision for life in the age of permacrisis and philosphical foundation of the progressive agenda in this new condition. Until such a vision emerges, successes for progressive politics will remain fragile, fragmented, and rare.

The far right may be making gains, but becoming a trusted voice on the cost of living issue is anyone’s game

We cannot ignore the evidence — cost of living is a preoccupation shared widely among Europeans and one that generates extremely strong feelings. This makes it a crucial political battleground. The good news is that far right forces are far from achieving ownership over this issue, continuing to distract themselves with obsessions over migration and a narrow view of security. 

Now is not the time to hold back or play it safe.

Understanding why progressive solutions in this area so often fail to land or appear credible requires intensive engagement and reflection. Recent breakthroughs for progressive have highlighted the importance of establishing an emotional connection with people on these everyday, vital issues. 

The numbers speak for themselves — most people want something different. Now is not the time to hold back or play it safe. Progressives need to seize this appetite for change, and be bold and unapologetic in setting out their proposals.

There is still everything to play for. 

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For more detail of the data referred to in this post, get in touch with us at info [@] centerfordigitalaction.eu

Featured image via CANVA