Europe's crisis of discontent: Student and cost-of-living protests spread across EU

A growing wave of discontent is sweeping across Europe. What began in France as student protests over deteriorating school conditions, teacher shortages and an education system under pressure has quickly grown into something much bigger: a groundswell of discontent over the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing and struggling public services.

The unrest has spread beyond France, with demonstrations in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. While many marches have remained peaceful, some have descended into violence, with clashes, looting and destruction. The response from authorities has also come under scrutiny for excessive use of force and mass arrests.

This discontent comes against a backdrop of mounting economic pressure. France, the EU's second-largest economy, is facing sluggish growth and rising public debt, projected to reach 120 percent of GDP by 2027. Meanwhile, inflation across both the European Union and the eurozone hit 3.8 percent in September, up from 2.1 percent in 2024.

Is Europe facing a wider crisis of public discontent and could this be a tipping point for governments already struggling to maintain public trust? 

Programme prepared by Perrine Desplats, Oihana Almandoz, Isabelle Romero, Florine Hausfater and Charlotte Prudhomme

Our guests

• Nela Riehl German MEP, Group of the Greens/EFA

• Assita KANKO Belgian MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists