A Financial Times chart illustrating a significant misalignment between politicians and the public across Europe regarding whether immigrants should be required to adapt to national customs.

A set of stacked bar charts for six European countries (UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden) comparing politician and public opinions on the statement 'Immigrants should be required to adapt to the customs of this country'. It shows a large gap in agreement in most countries except Denmark.

Mainstream politicians across much of the west have become misaligned from the public on immigration and integration. Denmark is an exception 'Immigrants should be required to adapt to the customs of this country' (%) Strong disagree Disagree Neither Agree Strong agree UK Germany Politicians 53 47 Politicians 67 33 Public 13 87 Public 25 75 Denmark Netherlands Politicians 36 64 Politicians 57 43 Public 39 61 Public 26 74 Portugal Sweden Politicians 82 18 Politicians 66 34 Public 28 72 Public 39 61 Sources: Political Representation Gaps and Populism (Guenther, 2025); FT analysis of European Election Studies and Comparative Candidates Survey FT graphic: John Burn-Murdoch / @jburnmurdoch ©FT