Protests have erupted across Europe, driven by young people’s frustration over rising living costs and a lack of faith in traditional institutions. Demonstrations took place over the weekend in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Germany, connecting local grievances with shared issues—such as exorbitant housing costs and stagnant wages—in a movement that has drawn hundreds of thousands to the streets.
Students have been at the forefront of these protests, beginning in mid-September when high school students in France demanded better facilities and transparency in university admissions. Historian Sylvain Boulouque noted, “It’s a European movement but France served as the catalyst.” The protests in France culminated on October 17, attracting at least 550,000 participants, characterized by largely peaceful demonstrations, though some instances of looting and clashes with police occurred.
Following the protests in France, more than 10,000 people rallied in Greece just days later. Participants there displayed placards featuring slogans in both Greek and French, emphasizing a shared sentiment across borders. Filippos Armen, a physics student from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, pointed out, “The problems are shared between various European countries.”
Belgian sociologist Geoffrey Pleyers indicated that many youth are grappling with a “model that has run out of steam,” as job markets offer precarious employment rather than stability. He noted that the education system no longer guarantees the same quality of life for graduates as it did for previous generations, primarily due to high housing costs and the looming climate crisis.
The issue of housing, particularly in nations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece, has emerged as a central theme of these protests, impacting purchasing power and contributing to wealth inequality. Political scientist Mariam Martinez-Bascunan suggested that “discontent is fueled more by uncertainty than by poverty,” referencing the “contagion effect” of protests in France and activism for housing rights in Portugal.
As young people express distress over inherited economic and environmental debts, Boulouque remarked that they often feel “sacrificed.” He also observed a positive side to recent restrictions on mobile phone use in French classrooms, stating that students began to engage more socially and realize the decline in their working conditions.
In Germany, the potential revival of military service amid rising tensions with Russia has also mobilized youth to join the protests. The discontent has resonated with the general public just as Europe approaches crucial elections in Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. The French student’s actions have drawn connections to the yellow vest protests against living costs seen in 2018-19. Additionally, participants in Italy included drivers and farmers protesting high fuel prices.
Pleyers articulated that many young people feel unheard, contributing to a widening gap between citizens and their governments. He highlighted the divide between young people from economically stable families and those from more precarious backgrounds, stating, “Young people whose parents live comfortably have a more comfortable life and, conversely, those who come from more precarious backgrounds have a much harder life today.”
