European youth organizations demand meeting with Von der Leyen amid protests

The European Youth Forum and national youth councils from 28 countries have requested an urgent meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The request seeks to convene the President’s Youth Advisory Council before the European Council meeting scheduled for December 17 and 18.

In a formal letter, the organizations expressed deep concern regarding a wave of protests across various European cities centered on housing affordability and education. While condemning recent acts of violence by both protesters and authorities, the groups emphasized the distinction between peaceful marches for better schools and housing and violent incidents.

The movement follows intensified youth-led demonstrations in several nations, including Spain, regarding the housing crisis, and France, where student blockades and protests against the rising cost of living have gained national scale. In Portugal, protests concerning housing rights have also occurred in Porto and Lisbon, occasionally resulting in tensions with police.