Youth revive Yellow Vests movement

Young people in France are reviving the Yellow Vests movement, a protest that began in 2018, by wearing yellow vests and organizing demonstrations against rising living costs. The movement has gained new life through social media, especially TikTok, where calls for mobilization have spread rapidly.

Social media fuels the revival

The revival of the Yellow Vests movement is being driven largely by TikTok, where a user known as "V2" posted a video calling for a demonstration on October 17. This post received over two million views and sparked widespread interest among younger users, many of whom were too young to participate in the original protests.

Economic pressures drive the movement

Fuel prices have risen significantly since the start of the Yellow Vests movement, from about 1.50 euros per liter in 2018 to nearly 2.40 euros per liter in 2026. This increase has forced young people to make difficult choices about where to live and work, as seen in the case of Justine, a 21-year-old searching for a job that covers her travel costs.

Young people's struggles mirror past protests

Many young participants in the current movement are echoing the frustrations of the original Yellow Vests, who protested against fuel price hikes and economic inequality. Saïd, a 23-year-old delivery driver, highlights the ongoing burden of high fuel prices, which he says will soon be a luxury for many.

TikTok as a new platform for protest

The current movement is using TikTok as its primary platform for organizing and spreading awareness. Users are creating content that both mocks and highlights the absurdities of the current economic situation, such as filling oil tanks with sunflower oil or joking about fleeing gas stations to avoid paying.

Youth create their own protest culture

Gen Z activists are developing a unique form of protest that blends humor and serious critique. On TikTok, creators are sharing survival guides for demonstrations and using memes to express their frustrations. This approach reflects a new generation's way of engaging with social and economic issues.

Concerns about movement sustainability

Priscillia Ludosky, one of the original organizers of the Yellow Vests movement, is cautious about the current revival. She emphasizes the need for grassroots work and a unified left response to channel the anger into constructive political action. She also calls for a just and ecological fuel policy and better public transport infrastructure.

Call for unity and political action

Ludosky highlights the importance of connecting the current movement with broader social and environmental struggles. She warns against the movement being co-opted by far-right groups and urges left-wing parties to unite in addressing the economic and ecological challenges facing France and its overseas territories.