Left-Wing Decline: A Global Phenomenon

Waning Popularity and Historic Lows

According to a groundbreaking survey by The Telegraph, left-leaning parties worldwide are facing an unprecedented decline in popularity. The analysis reveals that left-wing factions have never been so unpopular since the end of the Cold War.

"The trend (of the right) is upward. There is no real reason to expect it to stop anytime soon," remarked Professor Matthijs Rooduijn, a University of Amsterdam political scientist.

Ascending Right and Declining Left

Conservative parties have captured the lead, garnering an impressive 1.5 billion votes in over 70 countries in 2024. In contrast, left-wing parties suffered a disastrous blow, capturing a mere 45.4% of the vote—a historic low.

Jeremy Cliffe, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, attributes this global shift to declining organized labor, the rise of "identity politics," and the fragmentation of left-wing forces.

Europe's Rightward Surge

Europe has witnessed a significant shift towards the right, with conservative parties opening up a substantial lead over their left-wing counterparts. The Labour Party's victory in the UK proved to be an outlier, but recent polls suggest that even this triumph may be short-lived.

"The smiles are not expected to last long, as polls show a neck-and-neck race between Labour and Reform UK," The Telegraph reports.

Far-Right Gains and Latin America's Transformation

In Western Europe, the far-right has made disturbingly good gains, averaging a record 16.9% of the vote. Voters across the EU rewarded center-right parties in the 2024 European elections, while nationalist parties made significant strides.

Even in Latin America, a traditional stronghold of socialism, the left's grip is weakening. The election of leaders like Argentina's Javier Milei has led to a decline in left-wing support, which now stands at 51.6%—the lowest in over 30 years.

Australia and Asia's Conservative Edge

In Asia and Australia, the right has extended its dominance, securing 55.6% of the vote, the highest average since 2017. Jacinta Ardern's resignation in New Zealand paved the way for the election of Christopher Luxon of the center-right National Party.

Japan's right-wing Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority but remained strong, while Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party secured a third term in India.

A Call for Change

The global decline of left-wing parties should prompt a serious reckoning and re-evaluation of their policies and strategies.

"The Left should rethink its policies around the world and seek partnerships—in contrast, perhaps, to the divisive logics that are in its DNA," concludes the article.

"A change of faces is also seen as imperative to inspire younger voters. Otherwise, 2025 may be even worse for left-wing parties worldwide."