Protests Erupt across Europe amid Rising Cost of Living

 Protests over soaring energy, food, and fuel prices have broken out across Europe.

Tens of thousands of French workers took to the streets Tuesday across the country, striking for pay hikes that keep up with rising inflation.

The industrial action came after weeks of walkouts that have hobbled French oil refineries and sparked gasoline shortages around the country.

“It’s time to go back to work,” French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said Tuesday about people on strike in the French refineries of oil giant TotalEnergies.

Rail and other transportation workers, trucking and bus companies, some high school teachers and public hospital employees have heeded a call by an oil workers’ union to push for salary increases and protest government intervention in the refinery strikes.

Similar protests have erupted around Europe in recent days over the impact of inflation.

In Italy, protesters targeted skyrocketing gas and electricity prices.

In Spain, pensioners took to the streets demanding higher pensions and better salaries in the face of higher inflation.

In Hungary, thousands of students have rallied behind their teachers as they strike for higher wages.

Thousands protested in Prague twice last month partly about high energy prices, airline workers have gone on strike in Germany and Sweden to demand higher pay and in the UK, everyone from nurses to rail employees has walked off the job to demand their wages keep pace with inflation.