Something’s happening in the streets. This weekend, the world’s youth seemingly erupted into protest: teenagers and students mobilised across France and Belgium; young Albanians called for their prime minister’s resignation; and India’s youth-led Cockroach movement continued to challenge controversial changes to voter rolls. In Santiago, protesters marked the anniversary of Chile’s 2019 uprising by marching against government spending cuts. Elsewhere, crowds packed the streets of Lisbon and Milan to protest soaring living costs, while demonstrations in Brazil and the US turned attention towards democracy.
While many have framed this as a Gen Z revolution, the reality is more complicated. Not all of the protests are youth-led, and causes range from overcrowded classrooms and inaccessible housing, to alleged corruption and fears about democracy. The overarching theme, though, seems to be a loss of faith in the institutions that were supposed to provide security. Economic frustration is another major factor, along with a growing sense of political distrust. After all, the promise of working and studying to secure a better future feels increasingly hollow when degrees no longer guarantee jobs, wages barely cover rent, and public services are reaching breaking point.
From classrooms to the ballot box, we explore what’s driving the unrest – and what protesters are demanding.
FRANCE
— Nina, the small woman (@LaylaBylerMiwi) October 17, 2026In Paris, young people who looted food shops during protests reportedly went on to distribute some of the food to homeless individuals
This also why we protest we help poor people capitalism tried to kill pic.twitter.com/FMxTS8Erqg
What began in mid-September as high school students protesting teacher shortages has become a nationwide movement about inequality and the cost of living. According to the French government, a reported 550,000 people across the country joined the demonstrations on Saturday, October 17. Most marched peacefully, although violent clashes and looting broke out in several cities.
BELGIUM
This is Belgium right now and see the amount of protest pic.twitter.com/xjYkiQPWgL
— Batman (@BatPhoenix07) October 16, 2026
At the same time, hundreds of young people demonstrated in Brussels – with further protests in Liège – over rising education costs. There are fears that a new set of reforms will make higher education less accessible. Some demonstrators clashed with police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
ALBANIA
Tens of thousands of students stormed the streets of Tirana, Albania, setting alight a government building and two banks and hurling stones at police during a protest over rising education costs and corruption https://t.co/BStRiDaJ4npic.twitter.com/beoeV2dGok
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 14, 2026
In Tirana, students have joined a growing protest movement calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation over alleged government corruption, dwindling job opportunities and poor education standards. On Saturday, demonstrations saw clashes outside the education ministry, with police reportedly firing rubber bullets at protesters.
INDIA
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 18, 2026🇮🇳 🪧 What's behind the new wave of mass protests in India?
An overhaul of electoral rolls has sparked a political firestorm in India, with thousands holding protests in the capital New Delhi this month. Opposition parties and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have been… pic.twitter.com/TA0PEWeEKA
In New Delhi, the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party is challenging changes to India’s electoral process, with activists alleging political manipulation (although the authorities have denied any wrongdoing). On Saturday, women’s and student groups also marched against alleged police violence towards the demonstrators who have been involved in the wider campaign.
PORTUGAL
Porto, 17 de outubro. Manifestação Nacional CGTP pic.twitter.com/cXUPKyWvr3
— bitxh (@notreallyabitxh) October 17, 2026
Also on Saturday, tens of thousands marched through Lisbon to protest spiralling housing costs, low wages and an increasingly unaffordable cost of living. House prices have more than doubled since 2017, leaving many people – particularly young renters – struggling to secure somewhere to live.
ITALY
Protesters clash with police in Milan, Italy, near the historic cathedral, against the high cost of living. pic.twitter.com/FvCu2JLqe3
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) October 18, 2026
On Saturday, demonstrators took to the streets of Milan to protest – you guessed it – the rising cost of living. The march began peacefully, but later descended into clashes with the police, with dozens detained.
CHILE
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 19, 2026🇨🇱 Thousands march in Santiago, Chile, marking 7th anniversary of 2019 nationwide protests as clashes erupt between demonstrators and police
💢 Protesters throw stones and chairs at officers, while police use water cannons to disperse crowds and detain several demonstrators pic.twitter.com/0wAW1M4r4X
Further afield, on Sunday 18th, thousands gathered in Santiago to mark seven years since Chile’s 2019 social uprising. This doubled as a protest against cuts to public spending under President José Antonio Kast. Students were among the organisers, who argued that the inequality that fuelled the original uprising still needs resolving.