European social unrest and education funding protests

Social unrest regarding education resources and welfare systems is intensifying across Europe. In France, student protests have expanded from the Île-de-France region to hundreds of high schools nationwide, highlighting tensions over education resources. In Italy, student organizations such as Rete Studenti Medi have called for mobilizations in cities including Genoa, Rome, Naples, and Turin. These groups have been advocating for increased school funding over military expenditures, citing overcrowded classrooms and underpaid staff. Recent demonstrations in Italy have drawn inspiration from French mobilizations. In Bologna, student collectives Cua and Cas held a demonstration in Piazza Verdi to protest militarization, war, the rising cost of living, and insufficient funding for services. In Turin, unrest has split into two primary fronts. High school students have occupied institutes, including Liceo Statale Regina Margherita and Istituto Superiore Carlo Ignazio Giulio, to protest racism, war, and deteriorating infrastructure. Concurrently, university students in Turin are picketing against the management of EDISU Piemonte student housing. Newer mobilizations, organized largely by the Opposizione Studentesca d’Alternativa (OSA), have expanded these protests across major Italian cities including Milan, Rome, Genoa, Naples, and Bologna. Students are specifically opposing the Meloni government and Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, targeting reforms such as the Valditara decree regarding limits on foreign students per class and technical institute reforms. In Turin, approximately 20 schools have been occupied, resulting in clashes with law enforcement and arrests. Protesters continue to demand that funds be directed toward schools rather than war, with collectives indicating that these actions may lead to a general strike on October 30. On October 16, 2026, demonstrations in Italy expanded to include unions, environmental activists, and farmers. In Turin, protests escalated into clashes involving fire extinguishers, smoke bombs, and stones, leading police to deploy water cannons and tear gas.