Can European leaders fix the cost-of-living crisis?

In France, student protests over overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages have grown into a broader public outcry. In recent weeks, separate protests have also erupted in Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Albania. The grievances differ, from unaffordable housing and low wages to rising fuel costs, education and political accountability.

But the frustration is increasingly shared: paying more, getting less, and struggling to afford a decent life, even with a job. Governments face demands for relief while wrestling with high debt, rising borrowing costs and, in several countries, looming elections.