Why are people #protesting across #Europe?
A summary of why the protests started and how governments have responded to them
by Harry Taylor
Sun 18 Oct 2026 11.15 EDT
"Young people have been taking to the streets in countries across Europe, including #Spain, #France and #Portugal, to protest over their unhappiness at the state of schools and wider cost of living crisis.
"In France, high school pupils have clashed with police in often violent protests over long hours, missing teachers, dilapidated classrooms and an opaque university admissions system. Pupils routinely miss months of teaching due to unfilled staff absences.
"Other demonstrators have then joined student marches to voice their unhappiness about rising living costs, including over fuel prices after US bombing caused the effective closure of the #StraitOfHormuz.
"The General Confederation of Labour ( #CGT ), one of France’s largest unions, has backed the protests and called for lower prices, higher pensions and boosted wages.
"French president Emmanual Macron is nearing the end of his time in the Élysée Palace after serving two terms.
"Over the Pyrenees in Spain, activists took to the streets in September over #housing prices.
"They were triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home after an investment fund hiked her rent by 230%. #MaricarmenAbascal died a fortnight later after being admitted to hospital.
"Protesters have called for lower rents, an end to evictions and a ban on #InvestmentFunds buying property.
"Similar pleas were made across the Iberian border in #Portugal on Saturday, with hundreds gathering in central #Lisbon.
"Portuguese housing prices rose by 124% between 2015 and 2024, roughly twice as fast as the EU average, according to official data.
"Squeezed household budgets were also at the centre of marches in #Milan.
"A march on Saturday began peacefully but ended with masked rioters throwing stones, paving blocks and other objects at #RiotPolice and setting fire to barricades made from bar tables.
"Meanwhile, protests in #Albania against the prime minister, #EdiRama, entered their sixth day on Sunday.
"Demonstrators have said they are unhappy with perceived #corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
When did protests start?
"The education protests in France began in late September, a week after the start of the school year.
"However, demonstrations have since intensified, reaching a high point on Saturday.
"Saturday was also the first day of cost of living protests in Italy, Portugal and Belgium.
"In Albania, protests have been taking place since the summer, triggered by a luxury coastal development backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner."
Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/18/europe-protests-france-spain-portugal-2026-explainer
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/N3RQL
#WorldPol #Europe #Protesters #HousingForAll #EducationForAll #NoCorruption #PowerCorruptionAndLies #SilencingDissent #SilencingProtest #LetThemEatCake
#Revolution2026
