How can we stop the violence that is rocking the streets of Europe?

Violent protests and increasingly strict security measures have gripped several European nations over the past few days. Authorities in France, Italy, and Albania are attempting to quell the unrest, raising questions about whether such hardline tactics will calm the situation or deepen public dissatisfaction. A panel discussion on Croatian national broadcaster HRT examined the causes of these demonstrations, the potential for escalation, and the responses from European governments. The experts participating in the program included Davor Ivo Stier, a member of the European Parliament representing the HDZ party, Goran Bandov, a professor at the University of Zagreb who heads its Central Office for International Relations and Sustainable Development, and political analyst Denis Avdagic. Stier observed that conditions in France have gradually stabilized following days of tension and violent demonstrations. He noted that the atmosphere appeared much calmer than in previous days, attributing this shift partly to the implementation of a curfew. According to Stier, daily life in Strasbourg has returned to normal. He argued that the violence and radicalization during the protests have forced a reconsideration of the boundary between legitimate expression of discontent and threats to the democratic order. While acknowledging that democracy guarantees the right to protest, Stier insisted that such demonstrations must remain peaceful. When protests turn violent, property is destroyed, and individuals are endangered, he stated, the state must respond with measured force. However, he warned that the underlying demands of citizens should not be ignored. Legitimate grievances need to be heard, but they must be expressed through peaceful means rather than violence. Stier further cautioned that internal instability adds pressure to Europe, which already faces external security challenges including Russian aggression against Ukraine and instability in the Middle East. He emphasized that while democratic systems allow people to demand change, the rights to life, property, and peaceful assembly must be protected, preventing violent actors from dominating the scene. Bandov stressed that the citizen’s right to protest should not be equated with the violence that sometimes accompanies it. He expressed greater fear regarding a society devoid of protests than one experiencing them, noting that citizens are dissatisfied, though the reasons vary by country. In Spain and Portugal, the primary driver is a housing crisis, whereas in France and Italy, issues center on education and rising living costs. Bandov suggested that the rebellion among young people is understandable given the sharp increase in the cost of living, which many can no longer afford financially. He warned that the violence has overshadowed the original causes of the protests, shifting public discourse toward riots and crime rather than the actual problems and their solutions. Citing France as an example, Bandov pointed out that authorities quickly reacted to the outbreak of protests by implementing educational measures and opening more space for dialogue with students. He argued that France recognized the need to discuss educational issues with demonstrators, but this process must be strictly separated from acts of vandalism. Violent elements often hijack protests, diverting them from their initial objectives. Additionally, Bandov referenced messages from Donald Trump urging France to close its borders, interpreting these statements as appeals to American voters rather than genuine foreign policy advice. He believed Trump was warning that similar scenes of chaos could occur in the United States if Democratic policies were followed. Bandov clarified that the current events in France are unrelated to the migration flows of 2015, stemming instead from internal French problems. Avdagic assessed that the wave of protests cannot be attributed to a single factor. He identified a decline in living standards as a common denominator, suggesting that citizens feel their reality does not match their expectations for the era in which they live. This sentiment is compounded by a high degree of uncertainty regarding the future. Avdagic highlighted growing anxiety, particularly among young people entering the education system and their parents, who question what awaits them tomorrow. With artificial intelligence already present, there are concerns about whether job opportunities will exist for the next generation. The analyst also warned against the political exploitation of the unrest. Certain political currents seek to maximize benefit from the disturbances. Furthermore, he noted that external influence via social media networks cannot be ruled out. While attention is frequently directed toward the Kremlin as a potential instigator, data suggests other factors may also be at play. The panelists agreed that while security measures are necessary to protect public safety, addressing the root economic and social anxieties remains crucial to resolving the ongoing tensions across the continent.