Mamdani's victory: what are the takeaways for Europe?
Europe's media are closely following Zohran Mamdani's sweeping victory in the New York mayoral elections. The 34-year-old, who describes himself as a "democratic socialist", has promised free transport on buses, free childcare and rent controls. Commentators see lessons for political parties in Europe.
Offer a compelling vision
Europe's left has much to learn, La Repubblica comments:
“The free market primarily serves the interests of shareholders and funds, while the people are crushed by growing inequalities that undermine society from within and spread unease and fear. In Italy, as in much of Europe, the right is benefiting from this suffering because it has a powerful idea to offer: protection from differences, a return to the past, and the consolation of religious identity. What is needed is an equally strong vision on the left. But it cannot be that of Mamdani or of California Governor Newsom, or of the new governors of Virginia and New Jersey. To find our own vision we must respond to our own concrete reality. Here and now.”
Down-to-earth politics without extremes
Ta Nea writes:
“Politicians from La France insoumise in France and The Left Party in Germany are trying to portray the newly elected mayor as 'one of their own' and present his victory as proof that they too can win. The conservatives, on the other hand - led by our own 'centrists' - are trying to convince us that Mamdani is a populist, if not an extremist, who will lead the Democratic Party down a slippery slope. Neither version is true. The man who brought young people en masse to the polls has both feet firmly on the ground. ... And he is proposing something very simple: to raise nine billion dollars to finance many of his initiatives by taxing the rich.”
Replace the ossified elite
To prevent the rise of extremist parties, the political centre must change, urges Onet:
“The United States, Poland and many other European countries face dramatic decisions in the coming years. The forces of the centre bear a large share of the blame for this. They can only make amends if they finally grasp that the authoritarian right (and in the case of France, also the hard left) can only be stopped if they first of all remember that they should not just represent the privileged classes; second, remember that freedom without bread is pseudo freedom; third, replace the ossified elites; fourth, find authentic leading figures; and finally, they must take decisive action.”
Copenhageners want more quality of life too
The Danish Social Democrats may lose Copenhagen, their long-standing stronghold, in the local elections on 18 November. Weekendavisen says they could learn from the New York election:
“Democracy means representation, which is why Mamdani's success is so remarkable. The key reason for this, however, is his ability to take people's concerns seriously. The same applies to the Copenhageners who are turning away from the Social Democrats: it is not Palestine, protests against police brutality or dreams of a revolution that are their primary concern. What they care about most is what it's like to live in their city.”