In both France and Spain, ruling parties must prove they can give young protesters hope
This story was selected and curated by our editorial team in the Europe category. Published on October 5, 2026 • Originally reported by Jon Henley Europe correspondent. OMEGAZEPRIME provides independent news coverage and analysis for our readers. Stay informed with the latest developments.
Demonstrations over housing rights and crumbling schools are a sign the younger generation is withdrawing political consent
In Spain, tens of thousands of people in 50 cities have taken to the streets amid mounting fury over the country’s housing crisis, their feelings made plain on a banner at the burgeoning protest camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol plaza: “You can speculate on watches, jewels, crypto-bros and Ferraris. But not on our fucking homes.”
In France, as high school pupils clash with police in often violent protests over long hours, missing teachers, crumbling classrooms and an opaque university admissions system, the angry slogans include: “More hours in class than for sleep”, “Fund study, not repression” and “I’d like to be worrying about my maths exam, not my future”.
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