'Greek Syndrome' Sweeps Europe

It started in Athens, moved to France, and has now landed in Sweden. It the "Greek Syndrome," as The Independent calls the youth riots sprouting up across Europe. In Athens, thousands of young Greeks have rioted for almost two weeks, protesting the country's political system. In France, students have taken to the streets to protest proposed school reforms; in Sweden, immigrants and leftists are rioting against the closure of an Islamic cultural center. While there doesn't seem to be much of a connection on the surface, these events are related in the mind of EU officials, including French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who fears that French protesters are inspired by their riotous Greek brethren. Others fear that the worldwide recession along with the constant stream of images of the riots will inspire young people in other European countries. The protesters themselves certainly feel the solidarity. Slogans spray-painted around Athens include "Spark in Athens. Fire in Paris. Insurrection is coming" and "France, Greece, uprising everywhere".