Protests in Europe

Protests in France, Germany and Albania are still continuing, after some months now.

These protests started off in France with students complaining about the lack of teachers, the large classes of over 32 students, lack of heating and general disrepair of school buildings. Teachers and parents soon joined in, in unison and solidarity. The protests started off small, in a village, I believe. It rang true for others and spread like wild fire.

The main stay of the protest soon became central Paris and it has been violent for some time. Cars, street furniture and large garbage containers are burnt, random things are used as missiles and thrown. Police vehicles attacked. Countless of people, young and old, have been arrested.

The toll on the infrastructure must be huge. Non-protestors that want to go about their business on a daily basis must feel like they're in a kind of hell. Tourists have been denied many important venues, like the Louvre, due to the disruption. To add to which, the "yellow jackets" - protestors connected to the Trade Union have joined in with their own protests. Frankly, it looks like mass chaos.

Of course, these French protests turned into smashed shop windows and looting over some days.

But here's the thing: None of these protesters have a spokesperson; no one that the Government or local council can sit down and discuss things with and negotiate the changes they are demanding. How can your terms be met if there's no one person to talk it over with?

It's a rookie mistake. Not well thought out or planned. And unworkable.

I regret saying it, but I think these protests will continue ad hoc, randomly, in all these countries until at least one representative steps forward. I don't see any other way to resolve it.

President Macron has only months left of his term. I doubt he wanted it to end like this. Poor guy; his Napoleon complex has not served him well, in my opinion. He may just want to leave the problem to the next guy (whoever that is) to roll up their sleeves and sort it out. Quelle dommage.

Wolf Winship

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