The month of October 2026 has been marked by youth taking to the streets across Europe. The beginning in Paris was first a peaceful showing of discontent with the resources allocated to education and schools in particular. Buildings have been badly prepared for the heat waves of the hottest summer on record and sanitary facilities are a continuous of dissatisfaction. Teachers and supporting staff are in short supply and a sick teacher has often not been replaced adequately. Pupils have been required to accept those deficiencies silently for too long. The competition for university admission is the next barrier, largely perceived to lack transparency and to reinforce inequalities. Labor market entry even after successful completion of a higher degree remains quite difficult for large numbers of youth, which adds to dissatisfaction. Whereas the engaged students demonstrated in a peaceful way, protests were hijacked by hooligans who smashed windows and looted, mainly shops of luxury brands. The damages could have been avoided if a serious dialogue had taken place rather than disrespect of youth. In democracies youth has a right to go to the streets and they use it. Authoritarian states have no inhibition to shoot their youth in rebellion. Talk to young people seriously, seriously.
