GENERATION Z protesters across Europe are mobilising against a range of social and economic grievances, from inadequate education funding to soaring housing costs, reflecting growing frustration over their prospects for the future.
The protests have taken different forms across the continent. In Spain, the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home triggered a wave of demonstrations over housing insecurity, with similar concerns spreading to Portugal.
In France, students have staged demonstrations in support of teachers who went on strike, while protests in Albania have continued for months, initially sparked by opposition to luxury development plans backed by United States President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Nearly 800,000 people joined fresh demonstrations across France on Saturday, including 250,000 in Paris, according to the CGT trade union, one of the organisers.
Paris police, however, estimated that 110,000 people took part in the capital.
French police arrested nearly 1,000 people during demonstrations nationwide on Saturday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
In Italy, security forces were deployed in large numbers to monitor rallies attended by thousands, amid tighter security following previous violent clashes.
Police said nine protesters were arrested, while another 371 people, including 110 minors, were detained temporarily and taken to police stations across eight cities as clashes broke out at several demonstrations.
Alice de Brito, vice-president of France’s National Union of Students (UNEF), said student unions across Europe were exchanging views and experiences, with their demands reflecting common concerns.
“I see far more similarities than differences. We are all talking about the need to increase investment in education, universities and young people in general. But we are also raising issues related to the cost of living and housing,” she said.
The demands were echoed by Italian student union leader Sabrina Brizzola at a rally last week.
“Let us raise our voices to demand schools that do not collapse on our heads, safe and dignified jobs, public healthcare services and social justice,” she said.
Julius Fintelmann, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the daily newsletter European Correspondent, said the demonstrations reflected frustration with European politics, which many young people believe has failed to meet the needs of the next generation.
Beyond education and housing, he said growing uncertainty in the labour market, the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level jobs and the climate crisis were also fuelling Gen Z’s anger.
“At its core, what we are seeing is that the liberal democratic promise that the next generation will enjoy a better life than the current generation is no longer being fulfilled,” he told CNN. - October 26, 2026