Spring has come to Europe with energy and disruption. Protests, strikes, and in some places unrest have surged through major cities, reshaping daily life as living costs rise and pension reforms spark debate. From Paris to Berlin, Lisbon to London, discontent has taken visible forms as people voice concerns about housing, groceries, and the overall economy.
France burns with anger over Macron’s pension reform
French unions have orchestrated what many see as the largest wave of strikes in the 21st century across the country. Since January 19, demonstrations have totaled about ten days, with eight of them tied to a general strike opposing a pension reform that raises the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, along with a 43-year bonus that accelerates full retirement. In five of those days (January 19 and 31, February 11, March 7 and 23), crowd estimates reached nearly a million, according to official data that some critics view as unreliable.
The anger stems primarily from the reform’s design and the government’s handling of it. President Emmanuel Macron and his administration are seen by many as pushing through what is perceived as a deep cut to a pension system long regarded as robust compared with other European benchmarks. Critics argue the change marks a sharp departure from the protected retirement pathways that were in place since 2010, following a previous shift under Nicolas Sarkozy that raised the retirement age from 60 to 62.
Compounding the controversy are broader economic strains fueled by inflation, energy costs, and perceptions of welfare cuts under a centrist leadership that has relied on decisive moves to reform public policy. The government’s approach—strong-armed and quickly implemented—has heightened tensions and raised questions about democratic process and consultation.
Despite a formidable union front, the executive has pressed ahead with a firm stance. Lacking a broad majority in parliament, the government pushed the reform through with a constitutional instrument on March 16, triggering a debate over legitimacy. A no-confidence motion followed, but it fell short by a narrow margin.
A wave of spontaneous youth protests and riots accompanied the upheaval, with scenes of fires and street debris across multiple nights. While tensions have cooled somewhat, sectoral strikes continue in areas like refineries, affecting fuel supplies and transportation. A ninth general strike is planned for April 6.
The government’s resolve has left its political capital strained, with popularity fluctuating and discussions within the governing coalition about pausing the reform or renegotiating terms. A meeting between union leaders and Prime Minister Borne’s government took place in Matignon on April 5, signaling a potential opening for dialogue, even as expectations remain cautious.
10.5% the figure that paralyzed Germany
Germany saw a wage dispute highlight the country’s inflation realities. Ver.di, the public sector union representing about 2.5 million workers, demanded a 10.5% pay increase to match surging prices that rose through the autumn. The proposal matched the latest inflation indicators and aimed to cover pay stagnation across a broad spectrum of public services, including transportation, municipal services, healthcare, and education.
Recognizing the need to adjust living standards, a compromise appeared plausible, yet negotiations carried significant economic risk. A prolonged disparity between wages and prices could stifle growth and broaden the risk of a downturn in the euro zone. As talks continued, the potential for widespread disruption remained, with many services operating at reduced capacity during reminders of the ongoing struggle for fair compensation.
Germany remains an industrial cornerstone, yet wage gains have not kept pace with living costs. Real wages declined in the preceding year, even before inflation climbed alongside the energy crisis. The workforce, numbering roughly 45.5 million, shows a heavy reliance on part-time roles, while discussions about an inter-professional minimum wage have influenced future pension expectations. In Berlin, pockets of poverty risk rose to noteworthy levels as the economy adapted to new social protections and wage frameworks.
Amid the tension, local reporters noted that unions and government negotiators faced a delicate balance between elevating wages and maintaining productivity. The situation underscored how rising prices and stagnant wages can ripple through housing, transport, and essential services across the nation.
Great mobilization in Portugal
Portugal entered the year with significant social mobilization, led by labor unions and public-sector workers. Teachers, among others, pressed for revaluations tied to career progression that had been frozen for years. While the government has conceded parts of the demand, teachers and their committees argue the steps fall short of what is needed to restore a fair timeline for advancement and remuneration.
Other public unions, including those of justice officials, pressed for the restoration of the many years of accumulated service credits. Simultaneously, transport disruptions, notably from the national rail operator, affected passenger movement and highlighted the fragile balance between public service obligations and financial constraints.
Doctors and healthcare professionals sought urgent structural reforms and improved working conditions to attract and retain skilled staff. Young workers increasingly consider private sector opportunities or seeking salaries more aligned with demand in northern Europe, underscoring the broader regional mobility trend. The National Federation of Doctors called for targeted strikes to press the government ahead of anticipated talks later in the year.
Beyond these single-issue protests, broad demonstrations against rising living costs mobilized the country, driven by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers. Demands included a higher minimum wage and general wage increases across the board to offset inflation measured by the latest statistics. The government has pursued incremental salaries and additional allowances, while negotiating the cost pressures on public finances and social programs.
In January, the administration announced further pay boosts for public employees, layering on existing increments and allowances. The overall aim remains to soften the inflation spike while maintaining fiscal responsibility and worker confidence. Local reporters recorded the ongoing tension and the careful attempts to reconcile public affordability with fair compensation.
One-year heart rate in the UK
Over a year ago, the United Kingdom faced a sweeping wave of strikes touching nearly every sector. Railway workers, postal staff, nurses, ambulance crews, teachers, and public defenders joined protests over wage growth in the face of double-digit inflation. The government faced the challenge of funding settlements while maintaining essential services.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sought to pause and recalibrate negotiations, offering targeted payments and a plan for subsequent wage reviews. The nursing and ambulance unions weighed these offers as talks continued. Strikes linked to hospital operations, education, and border security underscored the pressure on national capacity, with thousands of operations postponed or canceled during peaks of industrial action.
Negotiations grew more complex as doctors in training and various teachers’ associations pressed for steeper pay rises. A proposed one-off payment for the current year and a modest uplift for the next year drew mixed responses, with some unions calling proposals insufficient or even humiliating. The prospect of renewed strikes hovered as schools prepared for national exams and continued to plan for summer activities.
The government also moved to end the threat of rail strikes during the Easter period by opening talks with unions. Any salary offers were expected to reflect the sharp rise in the cost of living, now running in double digits. Rail operators warned that meeting the proposed rate would be financially challenging, and some unions dismissed the proposals as inadequate. For now, the conflict remains unresolved, with broader negotiations continuing in the background.