Fuel price surge fuels unrest in Europe and lifts the far right
Soaring fuel and living costs are driving protests across several European countries and boosting far-right parties ahead of elections next year. In France, the unrest is among the worst in decades.
Rising fuel and energy prices are triggering protests across Europe and giving new momentum to far-right parties before elections next year in countries including France, Italy and Poland. Prices have climbed since the US-Iran war began in February, adding to the difficulties of governments already struggling to contain inflation and restrain spending.
Unrest in France and Italy
In France, demonstrations that began over poor school facilities in Paris' northern suburbs grew into some of the worst unrest in decades, with shops looted, buildings set alight and a 19th-century town hall in Limoges burned. President Emmanuel Macron said in a weekend address that protesters had "legitimate demands", while condemning those behind the violence and looting.
In Italy, police in Milan clashed with protesters throwing stones. In Gela, Sicily, farmers say fuel costs have more than doubled and their machinery is idle. Roadblocks by truckers, farmers and steelworkers have disrupted transport in parts of southern Italy, causing local fuel shortages.
Protests elsewhere
Tens of thousands marched in Lisbon over low wages and housing costs. In Spain, the eviction of an 87-year-old woman sparked nationwide protests over housing and rents, helping trigger a snap election next month. Demonstrations have also occurred in Belgium and Albania.
The European Commission estimates the Iran conflict has cost Europe about €100 billion, with gas prices up roughly 140% and diesel prices doubled.
Political fallout
In France, ahead of the presidential election next April, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally and hard-left veteran Jean-Luc Mélenchon have both made fuel prices central to their campaigns. Elabe polling shows Le Pen's ratings improving and Macron's slipping since the war began.
In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads national polls. Like parties in Italy and Poland, it calls for restoring energy ties with Russia, challenging the mainstream European consensus on supporting Ukraine.
