Social unrest spreads across Europe

Since early October, social unrest has spread across Europe, with mobilizations on October 17 surpassing French borders. The European Commission condemned "unacceptable" acts of looting and attacks against individuals or public buildings, emphasizing the distinction between peaceful protesters and those committing violence.

French influence on European protests

Since late September, mobilizations have continued to grow across European countries, with the French student movement having a significant impact on youth in other countries, suggesting a broader social anger across Europe. In Italy, some protesters have directly acknowledged the influence of the French student movement, with slogans such as "Facciamo come in Francia" ("Let's do as in France") being used.

Slogans and social media

Historian Sylvain Boulouque noted that slogans internationalize through social media, with terms like "ACAB," originating in England and spreading to the United States, becoming global. Social media has acted as a catalyst for movements, such as "Italia in piazza," which emerged on social media in early October, aiming to emancipate from unions and be non-partisan.

Violence in Italian protests

Violence was observed during Italian mobilizations on October 17, including burning barricades, looting, and violent clashes with law enforcement in major cities like Milan, Turin, and Bologna. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the actions on X, stating that while protesting is a right, setting cities "on fire and blood" is not.

Comparing violence across Europe

Historian Sylvain Boulouque noted that looting and destruction are not unique to France, with similar scenes in Italy and Albania, and had been seen during U.S. protests against George Floyd's death. However, French journalist and essayist Richard Werly stated that the destruction of public buildings, such as the burning of Limoges City Hall, is a specific French phenomenon, noting that the intensity of violence in Italy was less compared to France.

France’s unique approach to protests

Werly highlighted that France has a complicated relationship with mobilization today, pointing to issues with law enforcement policies. France is the only European country to use LBDs (less-lethal devices) without restriction during operations to maintain order. Werly noted that there is more conflict in France compared to other European countries.

Economic factors behind the unrest

Historian Sylvain Boulouque explained that underlying all these mobilizations is an economic crisis, with rising living costs and concerns over energy prices affecting the population. Werly noted a common issue across all these mobilizations: the decline in purchasing power and a generation of angry youth.

Europe’s social tensions

Boulouque added that in all these countries, social dialogue is deteriorating due to lack of concrete solutions, and there is a rejection of austerity policies. Werly concluded that everything happening in France has a strong echo in Europe, with France acting as a spark for social conflicts across the continent.