Affective Polarization among Moldovan Youth: Do Young People Reproduce or Transcend ‘Pro EU versus Pro Russia’ Divisions?
Political polarization is a growing global challenge, yet limited research has examined how it develops among youth in countries affected by geopolitical pressures and identity divisions. Moldova offers a particularly relevant case, where longstanding cleavages between pro-European and pro-Russian orientations have been intensified by regional conflicts, foreign interference, domestic political dynamics, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Young people are key actors in this context, as their political identities are still forming and they are crucial for future social cohesion and democratic stability. This research investigates how political identities, stereotypes, and major political events shape affective polarization among Moldovan youth, understood as emotional attachment to one political group and hostility toward opposing groups. It examines whether young people reproduce rigid “pro-EU versus pro-Russia” divisions or develop more nuanced, hybrid, and cross-cutting identities. Combining in-depth interviews with visual materials related to political events and public figures, the project explores the emotional and symbolic dimensions of youth political attitudes. It contributes to understanding political divisions in identity-divided societies and identifies pathways for dialogue and democratic resilience at a critical juncture in Moldova’s European integration process.
