Abstract: This study examines the "Indigados movement" and the "Five Star movement", which emerged in the South European region as a response to the austerity policies implemented by the government following the 2008 economic crisis which affected the prosperity of the European Union member states. The author explores the issue of youth unemployment as one of the major factors that lead to mass demonstrations which rolled across Spain and Italy. The study draws attention to the causes of the mortgage crisis in Spain, which later became the catalyst for the confrontation between the citizenship and the state. The article cites the political discourse of the protest leaders of Spain and Italy. The author draws attention to the active usage of the information space by the members of said movements, which hints a global nature of this phenomenon. The author concludes that contemporary realities impose new rules of political struggle. European youth is being involved into political processes of the EU by new, progressive means. Simultaneously, the main goal of mass public demonstrations - the desire of citizens to be heard - is noted. Drawing spotlight to the hot issue of youth employment remains a relevant aspect of the said movement's political rhetoric.

Abstract: This article reviews the major reforms that took place over three recent decades in the labor legislation of Spain. The author discusses the characteristic duality of the job market, expressed in a broad use of the certain types of contracts varying in degree of guarantees implied to an employee. The author reveals the reason of the current inequality in the employment sphere, which has become an actual issue for all participants of labor relations. Special attention is given to the strategy selected by the young specialists, who embark upon the career in the conditions of heightened competition. The article contains the references to a number of official documents that regulate the questions of employment at the national level, as well as provide the instruments for stimulating the entrepreneurial activity. The author introduces the statistical data of Eurostat ant other analytical reports regarding the state of youth unemployment. A conclusion is made that the labor regulations make the young specialists vulnerable, particularly in the time of recession, when a priority task of business owners becomes the rescue of capital rather than the preservation of jobs. The reforms in labor system are mostly aimed at protection of the interests of entrepreneurs, which causes public disapproval.

Abstract: This article examines the phenomenon of youth unemployment in the European Union. It is underlined that the socioeconomic phenomenon that is directly dependent on demands of the market, under the circumstances of current instability causes concern for the fate of millions of the young residents of Europe. The author gives special attention to the analysis of positions of the youth in South Europe, where has developed the most dramatic situation throughout the entire history of the EU. The text contains references to a number of documents that regulate the questions of youth policy and employment at the supranational level. The author provides statistical data alongside analysis of the indexes of Eurostat on the number of unemployed among various age groups. The conclusion is made that in the established difficult situation on the job market, which faced the young professionals, besides the tense economic circumstances, an important role is played by the social aspect of the question, as well as the national peculiarities of the state. It is determined that due to the low level of competitiveness because of lack of education and other reasons, the process of restoration of the previous indexes of youth employment will require time and significant costs.