Europe's social unrest tests EU's ability to deliver security and opportunity

France has placed social unrest at the center of Europe's agenda, with protests over public education decline and rising living costs sparking riots in several cities, raising questions about the EU's ability to provide security and opportunities to discontented citizens. The unrest reflects a crisis of expectations amid external pressures from the US, Russia, and China, plus internal threats from parties questioning integration. Experts cite precarious jobs, housing difficulties, and climate inequality as drivers, with the 2008 financial crisis and austerity policies blamed for eroding citizen protection. Debates over EU responses include deepening integration, common defense funding, and energy coordination. Analysts note generational frustration, particularly among Generation Z, while distinguishing between those questioning EU decisions and those rejecting integration altogether.