Left-wing politics in Europe: always right

European left-wing politicians are increasingly looking to Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory in New York City as evidence that their political strategy, rooted in hope rather than fear, can succeed beyond American borders. The win has sparked renewed interest among leftist leaders across Europe, who see in Mamdani's campaign a model for how to challenge right-wing dominance through optimism and progressive messaging. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described Mamdani as proof that “hope can win elections,” while British Green Party leader Zack Polanski echoed similar sentiments, stating that “hope won in New York, it can win here too.” Italian Socialist leader Elly Schlein added her voice to this chorus, declaring that “the politics of hope defeat the politics of fear.” The European left has been watching developments in New York with growing curiosity. They want to understand, they want to learn, and perhaps even emulate, what has worked in the United States. However, the American left often shows little interest in its transatlantic counterparts, leaving European politicians to engage with secondary or tertiary figures in the U.S. political landscape. When German Left Party leader Ines Schwerdtner visited New York before Mamdani secured his position, she found herself unable to secure a meeting with him directly. Instead, she was offered an audience with functionaries from the Democratic Socialists of America, the group to which Mamdani belongs. A similar experience followed for Felix Banaszak, head of Germany’s Greens, who encountered the same difficulty in securing direct access to Mamdani. Despite these challenges, European leftist leaders have not given up on engaging with Mamdani and his movement. At the Greens' executive board meeting earlier this year, one of Mamdani’s campaign advisors was invited to speak. This level of engagement continued into April, when a major progressive strategy conference took place in Barcelona. While many heads of state and government officials attended, Mamdani himself did not make an appearance. Instead, he sent a greeting message, underscoring his presence in the broader conversation without physically being there. The European left’s fascination with Mamdani stems from both his personal story and the broader implications of his success. As a young, Black, openly gay candidate running in a traditionally conservative district, Mamdani represents a new kind of leadership, one that challenges traditional power structures and embraces diversity. His victory suggests that progressive policies, when framed around hope and inclusion, can resonate with voters even in difficult electoral environments. For European politicians, this offers a blueprint for reshaping their own strategies amid rising far-right influence. Yet, despite the admiration, the relationship between European leftists and their American counterparts remains tenuous. American left-wing groups tend to focus inward, prioritizing domestic issues over international outreach. This has forced European politicians to seek connections with lower-profile figures, such as Mamdani’s advisors or members of his affiliated organizations. Still, the European left continues to view Mamdani’s rise as a significant moment, a potential turning point in how leftist movements operate globally. As discussions continue, European leftist leaders are likely to deepen their engagement with Mamdani’s team, hoping to extract insights that could be applied domestically. Whether this will lead to tangible policy shifts or deeper collaboration remains unclear. But for now, the European left is clearly watching, and waiting, to see how Mamdani’s success might translate into action elsewhere.