Poland: calm before the storm? No mass youth protests so far
Mariusz Gabriel B.editor-in-chiefPoland: calm before the storm? No mass youth protests so far
There are no mass youth protests in Poland. An expert warns, however, that the absence of protests does not mean an absence of frustration.
While France, Italy and Albania are burning, Poland is calm. No mass protests by pupils or students have been recorded.
There is frustration, but no protests
Political scientist and anthropologist Dr Ewelina Nowakowska (SWPS University, IFiS PAN) tells naTemat that some young Poles still believe change is possible through politics. She warns that the absence of protests in Poland does not have to mean an absence of frustration. If promises do not translate into better living conditions, tension may grow. Prof. Tomasz Grzegorz Grosse believes Poles react more passively than the French.
What young people face
The same problems that brought young people onto the streets in western and southern Europe are present in Poland: high living costs and rents, insecure work and difficulty becoming independent.
TBT assessment
Poland is an island of calm for now, but this is a good moment for the government and local authorities to take the signals from Europe seriously – especially on housing for young people.
Sources
- naTemat – The West is burning with the Gen Z revolt
- Kultura Liberalna – what Polish teenagers think
- i.pl – Gen Z with a glass ceiling
Compiled by THE BUSINESS TIME newsroom from the sources listed. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences; the main photo is illustrative.
