Mass demonstrations have erupted across seven European countries, characterized by violent clashes with law enforcement, burning storefronts, and escalating unrest. The protests, spanning France, Albania, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and Greece, highlight growing public frustration over stagnant living standards, economic mismanagement, and the failure of governments to mitigate financial pressures on households.
The unrest is fueled by a combination of domestic policy failures and external shocks, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Ukraine, and tensions between the US and Iran, which have driven up oil and gas prices. Eurostat data analyzed by Euronews Business indicates that food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in the EU rose by 34% between August 2021 and August 2026. Consequently, the purchasing power of the minimum monthly wage declined by 6% in Malta, 5% in Spain, and 4% in France. These figures do not fully capture the impact of taxes, rent, and other living expenses.
In France, the initial spark occurred on September 17 when teachers at Antoine de Saint-Exupéry High School in Paris struck over staff shortages. The movement expanded to include students protesting education crises and evolved into the most violent disturbances in years, featuring looting and arson at historical landmarks. Five French trade unions announced a strike for November 5, demanding higher wages and increased funding for public services, while calling on retirees and high school students to join. Alexander Bombard, head of the retail trade union, stated that repairing the damage would cost “hundreds of millions of euros,” noting that 1,500 shop owners were affected.
Italy saw violence escalate from Milan to Bologna and Turin. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala reported shattered storefronts and citizen fear, describing the phenomenon as self-sustaining and linked to the international scenario. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a security meeting to address the violence. In Belgium, police clashed with protesters in Brussels and Liège over living costs, while high school students protested rising education fees.
Portugal witnessed tens of thousands march in Lisbon against soaring living costs and a housing crisis. Rents and mortgage costs have placed immense strain on family budgets, with inflation reaching 3.6% in September due to food and fuel price hikes. Portuguese house prices surged 124% between 2015 and 2024, nearly double the EU average. In Albania, protests continued for six days against university conditions and corruption, turning violent with attacks on police stations and demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Spain faces ongoing unrest over housing and wages ahead of early general elections, with Madrid’s education sector entering an open strike. Similarly, Greek teachers and students are preparing nationwide demonstrations on October 21 for better pay, education funding, and safer schools, reflecting a broader wave of youth anger over deteriorating public services and the cost of living.
