# Why young people are angry > Youth protests across Europe and India reveal deepening crisis in democracy. - Title: Why young people are angry · Salon | Shortify - Summary: Youth protests across Europe and India reveal deepening crisis in democracy. Young people protest underfunded schools, rising costs and political failures in… - Keywords: youth protests, democracy, economic inequality, student movements, political unrest, france, india, emmanuel macron, narendra modi, liberal democracy, centrist politics, gaza conflict - Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/10/26/why-are-young-people-so-angry-why-isnt-everyone - Author: Andrew O'Hehir - Published: 2026-10-26T13:00:08+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: youth protests, democracy, economic inequality, student movements, political unrest, france, india, emmanuel macron, narendra modi, liberal democracy, centrist politics, gaza conflict ## Youth protests spread Student protests began in Paris suburbs about a month ago and spread to six or seven countries. ## No single cause Protests in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Albania, Serbia and other countries have distinct local triggers. ## Cost of living crisis Spain and Portugal protests reflect years of discontent over soaring living costs and housing shortages. ## Greece's protest focus Greece's protests initially targeted workplace safety and public sector wages. ## Albania and Serbia Albania and Serbia protests focus on government corruption before French protests gained attention. ## India's movement India's Cockroach Janta Party launched as a social media experiment and became a mass movement. ## No global event No dramatic world event has triggered these protests across relatively prosperous democracies. ## Existential outrage Protesters feel anger about underfunded schools, crumbling infrastructure, soaring rents and global crises. ## Educated generation Protesters are highly literate and globally connected, seeing systemic economic failures and inequality. ## Racist narratives Trump and others blame immigrants for protests, despite protests being largely white and unmasked. ## Economist's view Economist states protests are not about race or religion but cost of living and poor public services. ## Centrist failure Centrist governments have failed to address economic issues, leading to public disillusionment. ## Liberal democracy crisis Liberal democracy faces systemic failure as centrist politics have visibly collapsed across Western democracies. ## Historical context Real wages declined since 1970s, social services cut, and immigration became necessary due to aging population. ## What comes next Students show dark passages ahead with enormous changes coming but no clear path forward. ## Key takeaway Young people protest underfunded schools, rising costs and political failures in democracies.