Rising living costs, concerns over deteriorating schools, declining public services and a worsening housing crisis are fueling a wave of protests across Europe, with demonstrations in several countries turning violent and putting pressure on governments ahead of key elections.
For weeks, thousands of demonstrators, many of them young people, have taken to the streets in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania, demanding better living conditions, affordable housing, improved education and stronger public services.
While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, others have been marked by arrests, looting, injuries and clashes between protesters and police.
María Silvestre, a sociology professor at Spain’s University of Deusto, said young Europeans were experiencing growing uncertainty and a feeling that they had little control over their future.
She explained that when several problems converge, they can trigger widespread public anger and push people into the streets.
France faces unrest over schools and living costs
France has experienced some of the most serious unrest, with high school students staging blockades and demonstrations for more than three weeks to demand additional resources for schools they describe as understaffed and poorly maintained, particularly in low income neighbourhoods.
The movement expanded after the CGT labour union and other activists joined the protests, bringing broader concerns about rising living costs and deteriorating public services into the demonstrations.
Although hundreds of thousands of people have participated in peaceful marches, violent incidents over the weekend resulted in approximately 2,400 arrests, according to the report.
Looting was reported in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux, while a fire engulfed the 19th century city hall in Limoges, causing extensive damage. Some schools were also set on fire, and hundreds of people were injured during clashes involving demonstrators and security forces.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence, accusing far left activists of attempting to create chaos by attacking public buildings and police officers.
He warned that those responsible for looting and damaging property would be held accountable.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump blamed immigrants for the destruction in France and called for tighter border controls. However, French authorities and police have not identified immigrants as responsible for the unrest.
Housing crisis sparks protests in Spain and Portugal
In Spain, housing affordability has become a central issue, with protesters establishing tent camps in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square to demand action on soaring rents and the growing difficulty of securing affordable accommodation.
The demonstrations intensified following the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87 year old woman who later died while hospitalised, an incident that drew attention to the housing challenges facing vulnerable residents.
The pressure has prompted Spain’s Socialist government to approve affordable housing measures, although the proposals failed to secure parliamentary support.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez subsequently called an early election for November, while a general strike was also announced for the same month.
Teachers have added to the pressure on the government, with elementary and secondary schoolteachers in Madrid beginning an indefinite strike to demand better pay and working conditions.
Similar housing demonstrations have spread to Portugal’s largest cities, Lisbon and Porto, as well as Barcelona, where residents have raised concerns about tourism and its impact on housing availability.
According to figures cited by Spain’s business newspaper Expansión, the country’s monthly minimum wage stands at 1,221 euros, while the average rent for an 80 square metre apartment is approximately 1,130 euros.
Diana Manzanares, a 20 year old waitress participating in the Madrid encampment, said rent consumed most of her income, leaving her and her roommate struggling to meet everyday expenses.
Italy sees violent clashes after demonstrations
Italy has also witnessed widespread demonstrations under a movement known as “Italia in Piazza,” or “Italy in the Streets.”
Protesters have called for better employment opportunities, improved healthcare and education, affordable housing and higher wages.
The demonstrations come amid renewed inflationary pressure. Government figures cited in the report showed that Italy’s inflation rate reached 4.2% in September, exceeding the eurozone rate of 3.8%.
Peaceful marches were followed by violent clashes in Turin and Bologna, as well as Milan, where masked demonstrators confronted police, looted shops and set property on fire.
Milan police reported that 271 people had been arrested, most of them minors, while 14 security officers were injured during two days of unrest.
A newly formed group calling itself the “Oct. 17 Movement” has announced plans for continued demonstrations every Saturday at 3 p.m. in cities across Italy.
Political tensions add to Europe’s challenges
The protests are unfolding at a sensitive political moment for Europe, as major economies, including France, Italy and Spain, approach important elections, while far right parties have made electoral gains in Germany and could strengthen their influence elsewhere.
The unrest is also taking place as European governments face difficult decisions over continued support for Ukraine amid Russia’s war and growing concerns about alleged sabotage, cyberattacks and arson incidents in NATO countries.
The combination of economic pressure, housing shortages, dissatisfaction with public services and political uncertainty has created a challenging environment for European leaders.
As demonstrations continue, governments face growing demands to address the underlying problems driving public anger while preventing violence from escalating.
