Anger over soaring inflation, housing crises, and pension instability is spilling into the streets across Europe. In Spain, tens of thousands demanded pension guarantees, while in France, 70,000 police officers were deployed amid nationwide demonstrations. Rallies protesting the burden of living costs also continued in Italy and Portugal.

According to AP, AFP, and Reuters on the 24th (local time), citizens in Madrid, Spain, marched from Atocha Station to the city center, demanding the protection of public pensions and wage increases to match rising prices. Government officials estimated the turnout at 25,000, while organizers put the number at 50,000—noting that participation had doubled compared to last year.

Protesters opposed the privatization of pensions and demanded the expansion of public services, including housing, education, and healthcare. With a general election scheduled for the 29th of next month, whether to maintain the inflation-indexed pension system has emerged as a major campaign issue. While the ruling Socialist Workers' Party criticized the conservative opposition for attempting to shake the inflation-linking principle, the leadership of the Popular Party stated they would maintain the indexing system even if they come to power.

In France, students and workers protested against high inflation and a lack of investment in public services. The government deployed 70,000 police officers to prevent a repeat of the violent incidents from the previous weekend. Major cultural sites like the Louvre and Orsay museums in Paris closed their doors, and several subway stations were shut down. In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse protesters, and shop owners boarded up their windows with wooden planks to guard against looting. Laurent Nuñez, the Interior Minister, stated that at least 135 people had been arrested nationwide by early afternoon.

The protests in France, which initially sparked over a shortage of school staff, expanded into grievances over wages, housing, and pensions. In Italy, demonstrations took place primarily in Rome and Milan. Authorities remained on high alert against the potential recurrence of recent store lootings and clashes with police. An additional 500 soldiers were deployed to Milan, while a march opposing defense spending was held in Rome.

In Portugal, soaring rents and the cost-of-living burden sat at the center of the protests. Rallies were held on the 17th in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, followed by ongoing tent protests in Lisbon’s central square demanding guaranteed housing rights. Although specific issues vary by country—ranging from pensions and monthly rent to education and wages—a unifying frustration cuts across all these protests: livelihoods are failing to improve in the face of relentless inflation.

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