Europe in economic turmoil, French Police clash with protestors
France is facing protests over the cost of living crisis fueled by soaring inflation. Police have clashed with the protesters venting anger in the capital Paris.
Protesters were met with police brutality. Police used batons to disperse the protesters who were throwing rocks at security forces.
There are calls by trade unions for a nationwide transport strike. Unions now say it’s time to expand industrial action at oil refineries to other sectors.
Protesters and strikers say they need a substantial pay rise to cope with the soaring cost of living. France is currently experiencing inflation at 6.2%; the highest rate in decades.
We are especially angry, that is to say that in front of all this loss of purchasing power, there is no answer from this government, just to say that people are only there to block. But the real demand of the people, who are in the street at the moment, is the purchasing power and the salary increase.
Yellow Vest Demonstrator, Paris
We would like it to change, we would like it to evolve, we would like all the budgets that are not put in social areas to be redistributed, not only for students but also for those who need it, like pensioners. The retirement project is also a disaster.
Student Activist, Paris
Striking workers are demanding higher wages from the profits of energy companies amid high oil and gas prices. Protesters have demanded emergency measures against high prices, including freezing the cost of energy.
The industrial action has taken offline more than 60% of France’s refining capacity.
The Macron government is also on the defensive in Parliament where it lost its majority in legislative elections in June.
It is much more difficult for Macron’s centrist alliance to implement his agenda.
We need this third part of the Social Security financing bill. Without it, we would not be able to guarantee the resources of the social security system. Without it, we would not be able to continue the debate on part 4 of the text, which contains major reforms in the areas of prevention, health, family policy and autonomy.
Elizabeth Borne, French Prime Minister
France is not the only country in Europe that is facing protest. European countries are facing ever-increasing strikes and protests due to high energy prices and the mounting cost of living.
The UK economy shrank by 0.3% in August, it experienced a 10.2% inflation rate in September, which was the highest in 40 years, and with the resignation of the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, the economic outlook for Britain is set to get worse.
I don’t know if there is an ideal route out to this at the moment. I do think it is really destabilizing to change leader again, but I don’t feel like they’ve got much other options to be honest with you.
But I don’t think there’s a good choice right now.
And I think they’re just, you know, whatever it takes to get things calmed and to have the least impact on everyday people, who are just trying to get on with their lives and not have to worry too much about paying their mortgage, paying excessive energy bills and putting food on the table, and keeping their homes warm over the next few months.
Member of Public, London
In Germany pilots at Lufthansa’s Euro Wings launched a three day strike over working hours affecting tens of thousands of the budget airline’s passengers.
Germany is Europe’s economic powerhouse and Berlin’s faltering economic performance will affect the whole continent.
Germany has introduced a measure to allocate billions of Euros to support its domestic energy industry.
The move has reportedly angered France, saying that it poses the risk of causing distortions in the EU’s energy security.
Like many other countries, Germany supports its citizens with relief packages and with the introduction of a defense shield which we set up and which will pass parliament this week.
With it, we will be able to support our citizens this year, next year and the year after, for example with gas and electricity bills.
If you translate this into the entire time span it’s exactly the same France, Italy, Spain and many other countries are doing.
Olaf Sholz, German Chancellor
It is now believed that Europe is headed for a tough economic time.
The latest data shows that inflation rose on average to 10.5% across the European Union.
Europe faces a very difficult economic climate if the current energy crisis worsens with winter temperatures likely to be a decisive factor.
