Protests have erupted across eight European countries, addressing various grievances related to education, housing, and government transparency. In France, students took to the streets at the beginning of October, leading to the closure of 500 schools. On October 17, around 800,000 people demonstrated, demanding accessible education, quality public services, and improved purchasing power. Some protests turned violent.
In Portugal, thousands gathered on the same day against rising living costs, setting up a tent city in Lisbon, where they called for lowered rents and increased wages and pensions. Spain has also seen ongoing protests this autumn against escalating rent prices, evictions, and real estate speculation, with citizens demanding affordable housing and tenant protections.
In Italy, youth protested on October 17 against the rising cost of living, resulting in clashes in several cities. In Rome, unions demanded higher wages, accessible healthcare, education, and housing. Belgium witnessed students marching against the rising cost of education and educational reforms perceived as threats to access to higher education, with conflicts breaking out between protesters and police in Brussels and Liège.
Austria saw students and members of leftist youth organizations protesting against a proposed ban on headscarves for girls under 14. In Albania, protests emerged over a resort development near a protected area but escalated into broader demonstrations against corruption and the government, culminating in clashes after protests on October 13, with calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
In Serbia, demonstrations have persisted since November 2024 following the tragic collapse of a train station canopy that resulted in 16 deaths. Protesters accuse the government of corruption and demand accountability, especially as the movement gains momentum ahead of the upcoming elections in October 2026.
The protests are primarily driven by youth, reflecting a range of concerns from educational conditions and housing issues to government corruption. A 2026 survey indicates that just over 50% of young people aged 16-26 in Europe view their future optimistically, a significant drop from 70% in 2017, as they feel that European politics fails to serve the interests of the next generation.
