Nationwide protests are springing up across the world this summer. As frustrations rise to the surface, global crisis and chaos are exposing government ineptness. 

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summer of global protests

Although a surge of summer protests occurs nearly every year across the planet, 2022 seems worse than anything in recent memory. The record rising temperatures across the globe this summer bring a new surge of upheaval and protest. People are not marching for climate change, however. In an almost universal trend, people from all walks of life and a growing number of nations are marching against rising prices and increasingly apparent government ineptness. As our leaders fail, frustrated populations are taking to the streets.

Below is a list of major national protest movements that have triggered or continued over the last 30 days.

Sri Lanka – In the face of a near economic collapse, protesters took to the capital and occupied the president’s residence. The president fled the country on Wednesday and sent in his resignation.

Argentina – Rising prices and a crushing national debt led to mass protests in Argentina this week.

Panama – Angry over rising prices and a faltering economy, angry protesters took to the streets for more than a week this month after fuel prices more than doubled.

Kenya – The skyrocketing cost of living in Kenya drove protesters to the streets this month.

El Salvador – The government issued a “state of emergency” in March to combat rising violence. In June, protesters took to the streets crying for “No more dictatorships.”

Albania – Thousands called for the government to resign in protest to rising prices in Albania.

Netherlands – Thousands of farmers protested nationwide against targets introduced to reduce harmful nitrogen compounds by 2030.

Poland – As fuel prices hit a record high after the Polish government joined in sanctions against Russia, thousands of Polish people took to the streets blocking roads and access to businesses.

Italy – Economic and political dissent has led to widespread protests in Italy for a variety of reasons and from an array of groups. Yesterday the Prime Minister submitted his resignation as chaos on a number of fronts (war, pandemic, inflation) has made progress to restoring stability virtually impossible.

Greece – Healthcare workers continued their monthly protests against government contracts and negotiations with the healthcare workers fighting on the frontlines of the pandemic.

Germany – Thousands of protesters converged on Germany for the G7 Summit two weeks ago.

Belgium – Labor unions led protests in Brussel at the end of June to protest rising living costs.

Ghana – Rampant inflation and the continued failure of the government to adequately confront the crisis resulted in thousands protesting at the end of June.

Iran – Merchants continued their months-long protests against the government’s inability to stabilize the nation’s faltering economy.

Iraq – Even as protesters called for the government to give them full job opportunities in the country’s oil industry, thousands are gathering this week, suggesting a new level of summer protests in Iraq.

Ecuador – Protests erupted across the country for more than two weeks in June, triggered by increasing food and fuel prices.

Peru – Protests against rising fuel and fertilizer prices that are crippling the agriculture industry in Peru have been ongoing since March.

Pakistan – The slashing of fuel subsidies in Pakistan triggered new expense burdens on the population, and they took to the streets in May and June.

Zimbabwe – Health workers decided to strike in June as the government refused to pay them in US dollars amid the country’s faltering economy.

 

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JB Shreve is the author of "How the World Ends: Understanding the Growing Chaos." He has been the host of the End of History podcast since 2012. He has degrees in International Relations and Middle East Studies. His other books include the Intelligence Brief Series. Regular posts and updates from JB Shreve are available at www.theendofhistory.net