Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani's supposedly radical policies as normal'

"After New York City's race for mayor catapulted Zohran Mamdani from state assembly member into one of the world's most prominent progressive voices, intense debate swirled over the ideas at the heart of his campaign. His critics and opponents painted pledges such as free bus service, universal child care and rent freezes as unworkable, unrealistic and exorbitantly expensive. But some have hit back, highlighting the quirk of geography that underpins some of this view."

"He promised things that Europeans take for granted, but Americans are told are impossible, said Dutch environmentalist and former government advisor Alexander Verbeek in the wake of Tuesday's election. Verbeek backed this with a comment he had overheard in an Oslo cafe, in which Mamdani was described as an American politician who finally sounded normal. Normal. That's the word, Verbeek wrote in his newsletter, The Planet. Here, taking care of one another through public programs isn't radical socialism. It's Tuesday."

"More than a decade ago, Tallinn, the Estonian capital, became the largest city in the world to introduce fare-free public transport. Financed by the city's resident tax, the scheme faced heavy opposition before its rollout, with some describing it as a political stunt that the city couldn't afford. Nearly a year later, researchers found that public transport use had increased by 14% and that the mobility of low-income residents had improved."

Zohran Mamdani rose from state assembly member to a prominent progressive voice with pledges including free bus service, universal child care and rent freezes. Critics called those pledges unworkable, unrealistic and exorbitantly expensive. Geographic differences shape perceptions, with many Europeans treating free transit and universal childcare as routine public services. Alexander Verbeek noted that Europeans expect governments to make such services accessible, pay higher taxes and receive more civilized societies in return. Tallinn introduced fare-free public transport financed by a resident tax despite opposition. Researchers later found a 14% increase in ridership and improved mobility for low-income residents. Similar schemes have since appeared in Montpellier and Dunkirk.

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