Thousands of young people demonstrated in Germany over better education and affordable housing, following large protests in France, Spain, Italy and Albania. Some demonstrations in Europe resulted in riots and looting. In the Netherlands, young people gathered on the Square in The Hague, but the gathering did not focus on domestic social problems; demonstrations were expected in several other Dutch cities as well.

Economists attributed the protests to concerns about young people’s access to housing, work and political influence in ageing European societies. Mathijs Bouman said Dutch young people were in a relatively stronger economic position, citing the labour market and the country’s pension system. Neele Boelens of FNV Young & United said Dutch and other European youth organisations were organising a joint protest campaign for 20 November, focused on defence spending, wealth taxation, affordable housing, education and possible compulsory service.