Why France protests are spreading across Europe

This Is Why · Oct 19, 2026 · 12m

Violent clashes, burning buildings, widespread looting and thousands of arrests. Even for France, the scale of the current protests across the country is extreme.

What started off as student demonstrations, highlighting issues like a lack of staff and equipment in schools, has grown into a much bigger movement – which the government admits it’s struggling to contain.

But France isn’t the only country where the young are protesting. Students in Albania, Italy, Spain and Portugal have also clashed with authorities.

So, what’s caused such a huge disconnect between the state and young people…