Hundreds of thousands take to the streets in Europe, protesting the rising cost of living, wage cuts and proposed changes to pension plans. What is the likely political impact?

In the U.K., outraged workers stage mass walkouts. British newspapers call it a “Winter of Discontent.”

Double-digit inflation and stagnant wages drive a  half-million British teachers, public transport workers, university lecturers, civil servants and airport staff onto the streets, the biggest industrial action in more than decade. 

In Spain, outraged health workers say conservative regional governments are slashing wages and destroying the public health system.

In France, demonstrators condemn government pension reforms that raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. French President Emmanuel Macron on the defensive.

Joining the discussion:

• Jonathan Lis is a political commentator and journalist. 
• Wayne Fitzgerald is leader of the Peterborough City Council. 
• Joav Toker is Assistant Professor at The American Graduate School. 
• Remi Piet is Senior Partner at Embellie Advisory. 

#UPDATE Fresh strikes hit trains, schools and refineries in France on Tuesday over an unpopular pension reform pushed by President Emmanuel Macron, with nationwide protests planned for later in the day ▶️ https://t.co/UfAoDmSqJY pic.twitter.com/ciifo3GCh0

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 7, 2023

Tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance staff are walking off the job in the U.K. in what unions called the biggest strike in the history of the country's public health system. https://t.co/KfjjO8dUZe

— AP Europe (@AP_Europe) February 6, 2023