'If we burn, you burn with us!': Why a Gen Z youth wave of protest is sweeping Europe - analysis
Chiara, a 21-year-old student in protest-hit Milan, believes “it's vital to take part in people's spontaneous movements born from an explosion of rage that made collective action possible.”
A surge of youth-led protests across Europe is gaining momentum, driven by a generation known as Gen Z. The protests, sparked by various grievances, have captured the attention of millions worldwide. In Brussels, 19-year-old Maya Gourdel wrote slogans such as "If we burn, you burn with us!" in solidarity with her peers across the continent.
The protests, which began in Paris and spread to Belgrade and Milan, are characterized by a common set of demands, including dissatisfaction with educational facilities, perceived lack of economic opportunities, soaring living costs, corruption, inadequate housing, and a perceived lack of recognition.
However, the protests have also turned violent at times, causing significant damage to businesses in France, with police using water cannons and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators. Yet, on this weekend, the protests culminated in a major victory as student-led demonstrations in Serbia led to the ousting of long-time leader Aleksandar Vucic after nearly two years of continuous demonstrations against corruption and authoritarianism. A protester, Stasa Piletic, expressed relief and a newfound sense of responsibility.
Italian student Chiara emphasized the importance of participating in spontaneous movements ignited by rage, which enabled collective action. She lamented the lack of resources in schools, stating that young people are denied the chance to dream and imagine a better future. Protests led by Gen Z have caused a global uproar, with the generation born between 1997 and 2012 finding its voice in various countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and India.
European youth are particularly concerned, with 40% of 16-30-year-olds reporting worry over rising prices and the cost of living. The European Union survey also revealed that young adults aged 18-24 had the highest risk of poverty or social exclusion at 26.3%, compared to older generations.
The financial burden of an aging population is a concern, as older people tend to vote in greater numbers. In France, for instance, the wealthiest 25% of the population own 60% of the country's wealth, while pension spending has increased by 2.5 percentage points of GDP between 2000 and 2023. The report also revealed that education funding has declined by 0.5 percentage points.
In response to their frustration, Gourdel joined the protests to demand better conditions in Belgian schools. She expressed satisfaction with the media's attention to their cause, stating that passive efforts had gone unnoticed. Protests continue to spread across Europe, with demonstrations planned in Germany over cost of living, inequality, war, and the state of schools.
Albania has also seen student-led demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama's government, fueled by anger over perceived corruption, lack of jobs, and poor education standards.
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