While most Europeans express strong support for government action to reduce income inequality, their voting choices don’t always align with these preferences, a new study WeLaR study shows. Cultural values and attitudes toward immigration significantly affect whether pro-redistribution views lead voters to support parties that actually promote redistributive policies.
The report, “Preferences for Redistribution and Demand for Redistributive Policies in Europe,” draws on data from the European Social Survey (ESS), combined with party-level data from the Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES). It examines who supports redistribution, how these preferences have evolved over time and during crises, and to what extent they are reflected in voting behaviour across EU member states and candidate countries.
The analysis reveals that backing for redistribution rose after the 2008 financial crisis but declined in many countries following the COVID-19 pandemic. The extensive support measures implemented during the pandemic may have reduced perceived inequality and lessened the urgency of further redistribution.
“Public support for redistribution in Europe is widespread, but it’s not uniform,” said Cristiano Perugini, Professor of Public Economics at the University of Perugia and a co-author of the study.
The WeLaR research finds a strong, positive association between individual preferences for redistribution and voting for left-leaning parties. This association is stronger for people with higher incomes, positive views of immigrants, strong trust in political institutions, and liberal attitudes.
In contrast, conservative voters and those with anti-immigration attitudes often express support for redistribution yet vote for right-leaning parties that do not advocate such policies.
“Our findings show that support for redistribution is moderated by how people perceive other social issues,” said Marko Vladisavljević, Assistant Professor at the University of Belgrade and co-author of the report. “Redistribution is important for voters, but it’s only one of several competing issues that influence political choices.”
The report also confirms a well-established link between inequality and demand for redistribution in a large sample of countries and time periods which encompasses two economic crises: countries with higher levels of income inequality tend to have stronger public preferences for redistribution. Inequality can also act as a signal for individuals with high incomes, low altruism, and conservative values to adjust their views on inequality and redistribution.
The authors recommend promoting civic education to help voters align their values with policy choices, enhancing the transparency and responsiveness of welfare institutions, and designing redistributive measures perceived as fair and effective.
“Redistribution is not just an economic issue: it’s political, cultural, and deeply connected to trust,” said Perugini.
Cristiano Perugini and Marko Vladisavljević (2025) Preferences for redistribution and demand for redistributive policies in Europe (Deliverable D7.2). Leuven: WeLaR project 101061388 – HORIZON.
The paper is available here.
