Protests have erupted across Europe as young people express frustration over rising living costs and a lack of trust in traditional institutions. Demonstrations in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany have drawn hundreds of thousands, highlighting shared concerns such as soaring housing expenses, inadequate wages, and the climate crisis.
The movement gained significant momentum in mid-September when French high school students protested for better facilities and a more transparent university admissions process. Historian Sylvain Boulouque characterized the events as a European movement, with France acting as a catalyst. The protests in France peaked on October 17, attracting at least 550,000 participants, although some demonstrations devolved into looting and clashes with law enforcement.
Following the French protests, more than 10,000 people rallied in Greece four days later, many sporting signs that featured slogans in both Greek and French. Filippos Armen, a student at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, emphasized the common challenges faced across European countries.
According to Belgian sociologist Geoffrey Pleyers, many young people are confronted with a “model that has run out of steam.” He noted that today’s job prospects are precarious, contrasting sharply with the stability of earlier generations. The high cost of housing, coupled with environmental risks, further diminishes the standard of living for young graduates.
Housing has become a focal point in protests across nations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece, as it relates directly to purchasing power and wealth inequality. Political scientist Mariam Martinez-Bascunan argued that the underlying anger is rooted more in uncertainty than poverty. She referenced the influence of images from protests in France and housing rights encampments in Portugal on young activists.
Boulouque observed that today’s youth are acutely aware of the debts and environmental issues inherited from previous generations, leading them to feel “sacrificed.” He pointed out that a recent ban on mobile phones in French classrooms unexpectedly increased social interactions among students, making them more aware of their deteriorating working conditions.
The potential reintroduction of military service in Germany amidst ongoing tensions with Russia has also spurred youth participation in protests. The public resonance of these demonstrations is growing, especially as Europe approaches critical elections in countries like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece.
In France, students were joined by the yellow vest movement, which previously protested against living costs in 2018-2019. In Italy, protests included drivers and farmers opposing high fuel prices, all echoing the youth’s concerns regarding listening and engagement from the state. Pleyers highlighted a growing sense of inequality, noting that young people from affluent backgrounds tend to have an easier life than those from less privileged families.
As the protests continue, their impact on public opinion and political discourse may shape the upcoming elections across Europe.
