The angry youth of the West: What’s driving the wave of protests in Europe?

Across Europe, a wave of protests has emerged among the youth, driven by various factors specific to each country. In the Balkans, particularly in countries like Bulgaria and Albania, students have taken to the streets to demand an end to corruption, greater investment in education, and accountability over controversial projects.

In the Mediterranean and Western Europe, issues such as rising housing costs, inadequate public services, and job uncertainty have fueled discontent among young citizens. In France, protests in the Paris suburb of Créteil over teacher staffing shortages and pension allocation led to broader demands for better-funded education. These protests highlight the broader pressures faced by young people across Europe, including distrust in government, uncertainty about the future, and the need for systemic change in public institutions.