European Leftists Travel to NYC to Study Zohran Mamdani’s Grassroots Socialist Playbook

European delegations study a Queens-based grassroots model

European left-wing politicians have been traveling to New York to examine a campaign model they regard as a possible template for revitalizing hard-left parties: the grassroots operation run by New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist whose organizing in Queens has drawn attention beyond his district.

According to a Politico Europe report, delegations from France, Germany and the U.K. visited New York this week to observe Mamdani’s campaign in person. Visitors included the deputy leader of the U.K. Green Party, a parliamentary aide from Germany’s Left (Die Linke) party and a French member of the European Parliament — all hoping to adapt tactics they view as effective for hard-left movements at home.

“Five years ago few would have expected New York to shift this way,” said Alan Mendoza, executive director of the London-based Henry Jackson Society. “A problematic economy, cost‑of‑living pressures and weak opposition create fertile ground — conditions I see in many European cities as well.”

An antisemitism watchdog has issued a scathing alert about Mamdani as New York City’s election approaches, increasing scrutiny of his candidacy. Critics warn that European parties studying his platform should consider the local contexts and controversies that shape outcomes.

Mendoza also described Mamdani as a potential trailblazer for hard-left movements, arguing that campaign techniques, messaging and coalition-building demonstrated in Queens will be closely watched by activists abroad. He cautioned, however, that transplanting policies across different national systems could deepen polarization and may not produce the same results.

Locally, Mamdani has cultivated support through neighborhood-level organizing — door-knocking, volunteer networks and community outreach — a model visiting politicians say could reengage voters disillusioned by mainstream parties. Former U.K. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who now leads the small party Your Party, said on social media that he and his team phone-banked for Mamdani and shared a link to volunteer sign-ups maintained by the Democratic Socialists of America’s NYC chapter.

Observers say the visit underscores growing international interest in city-based progressive organizing. Supporters view Mamdani’s approach as proof that grassroots machines can translate into electoral gains; detractors point to watchdog warnings and ideological differences as reasons for caution.

Reporting note: Portions of this article draw on coverage from Politico Europe and reporting contributions noted in original dispatches.