"We got completely screwed": Europe worried about escalation of protests on the continent

A cross-border wave of protests in Europe, which began in France at the end of September, has spread to at least 10 countries amid the cost of living crisis and youth concerns. Last weekend, around 320,000 protested in France, and violent clashes were reported in Germany, including an attack on a gun shop in Frankfurt. Experts assess the protests as a prelude to the elections in France.

A cross-border wave of protests in Europe, which began in late September with the blocking of high schools in France over the state of the education system, has spread to at least 10 countries on the continent. The common thread linking the demonstrations is the cost of living, public services, and young people's fears for their future. Last weekend, around 320,000 people protested in France, and demonstrations took place in more than 30 cities in Germany. Alongside non-violent protests, violent groups are causing concern: in Frankfurt, masked rioters, some waving Palestinian flags, attacked a gun shop, stole two firearms, and clashed with police using stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks. Hesse's Interior Minister, Roman Poseck, claimed that far-left elements had infiltrated the protests. In France, the protests are associated with the left and are taking place ahead of the presidential elections in April. Prof. Tal Shade from Tel Aviv University assesses that winter will moderate the protests but that they constitute a prelude to the elections.