The board of the National Consultation of Political Groups (LOF), which supports students in university politics, emphasises in a statement that the new student parties are part of the democratic playing field. “But that does not mean all their ideas should be normalised.”

“VSP and Liberi Erasmi spread misleading information about ‘woke indoctrination’ in higher education and support measures that harm the accessibility and quality of education. This is the opposite of what LOF stands for: an inclusive, accessible and democratic educational environment in which every student is heard.”

At the same time, LOF says it does not want to be blind to the reasons behind the two parties’ growth. In addition to polarisation in society, the lack of confidence in the effectiveness of representative councils also plays a role in this whole story. The low turnout in student elections also makes these bodies less representative. “We must also work on structural solutions: more accessible and inclusive student participation, an educational environment in which all voices are heard and taken seriously, and actively combating social and economic inequality.”