Europe faces unrest as students and citizens protest rising costs and education crises, echoing 1968 but with less hope. France's Trappes attack highlights growing tensions.
Protests spread across Europe
Clashes have occurred in France and Italy, with demonstrations taking place in Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. These protests are part of a broader wave of unrest across the continent, driven by various social and economic grievances.Echoes of 1968
Europe is experiencing a revolt whose scale recalls May 1968 for some, particularly in Paris. High school students and university students are returning to the streets, universities are being occupied again, and barricades are being erected, reminiscent of the past but with a different tone.A different mood than 1968
This time, however, the hope and utopia that drove the 1968 protesters are missing. Demonstrations against the high cost of living, housing shortages, and the deterioration of the education system are accompanied by pessimism, fear for the future, and unfortunately, in many places, blind violence.Political leaders face criticism
The political class is displaying its impotence. It has ignored these problems for years, or even created them. The economic doctrine choices of the European Union (EU) are being criticized. However, its leaders are turning a blind eye to these issues.Focus on competitiveness
Priority to electoral campaigns: The summit held in Brussels on October 15 and 16 is a striking example of this. Under pressure from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the heads of state and government focused on competitiveness—but not on social issues or the disastrous state of the education system.Energy debate fails to deliver
And the much-announced debate on the cost of energy did not result in any concrete outcomes. Tension is at its peak in France, and the Trappes attack could be a turning point. "Are we losing the youth?" Anger among French high school students: why the elimination of Parcoursup does not solve anything.Origins of Tageszeitung
The newspaper Tageszeitung, or TAZ, was founded in 1978 in West Berlin in reaction to the terrorism of the extreme left Red Army Faction (RAF). Distinguishing itself from traditional media, it has established itself as the left-wing daily of feminists, ecologists, and pacifists.Collaboration with Le Monde diplomatique
The newspaper is a partner of Le Monde diplomatique, of which it edits the German edition. This collaboration reinforces its role as a voice for progressive and critical journalism in Europe.
