Research on the political behavior of youth factions within political parties remains limited, despite their growing significance in shaping political discourse. Contrary to the widespread perception that these groups merely function as passive extensions of their mother parties, youth wings have increasingly demonstrated their capacity to develop distinct political agendas and organize independent events aimed at advancing their own priorities. This paper seeks to fill the gap in the literature by examining the protest behavior of youth wings across Europe. It investigates the key factors that drive these youth factions to mobilize and engage in street protests, often independently of their parent parties.

By analyzing the complex relationship between mainstream political parties and their affiliated youth wings, I argue that when ideological differences between these two branches of the same political family become pronounced, youth factions are more likely to resort to protest actions to pursue their objectives. These protests not only signal dissatisfaction but also highlight the youth wings’ desire for political autonomy.

To test these hypotheses, I compile new data on protest movements organised by youth wings, incorporating visual techniques to analyze ideological shifts based on party logos and symbols. The findings reveal that youth wings are more likely to organize protests when they feel underrepresented within their party’s governing structure or when there are clear ideological distinctions between themselves and the parent party. This research sheds light on the increasingly assertive role of youth wings in shaping party politics and contributing to protest culture in contemporary Europe.