France Sees 2,400 Arrests as Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent Across Europe most dangerous countries

Violent clashes erupted over the weekend in multiple European cities during protests against the rising cost of living, with more than 2,400 arrests in France, over 200 in Italy and injuries reported on both sides. The unrest has drawn attention to conditions in most dangerous countries where demonstrations have escalated rapidly.

Weekend Violence in France

The protests in France grew violent over the weekend with clashes between demonstrators and the police, widespread looting, fires and attacks on public buildings in several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges. [5] The demonstrations, which began as a protest against deteriorating conditions in high school classrooms, have drawn hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. [5] The demonstrations also reflected anger at the cost-of-living crisis, low wages, and frustration with the government. [5] Between Saturday and Sunday, police fired tear gas into crowds. [5] They fought running battles with rioters who set fires and broke into shops and government buildings, with images showing historic buildings ablaze. [5] Nearly 2,400 people were arrested in France, with about 1,000 police officers hurt in the violence, according to French authorities. [5] The Interior Ministry said on Sunday that 2,397 arrests were made on Saturday, with 997 security personnel sustaining injuries. [5] It said that seven officers were badly wounded. [5] “Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” France’s President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the nation, adding there must be a distinction between protesters with “legitimate demands” and “those who destroyed, smashed, and looted”. [5] “Those who have destroyed must pay,” he said. [5] Mr Macron has also vowed that authorities will be “uncompromising in the face of violence.” [5] He stated that “listening to the anger” doesn’t mean those who vandalised and looted will go unpunished. [5] French premier calls for localized curfews starting Monday evening amid unrest. [2] Lecornu announces major judicial response and support for businesses affected by violence and looting during protests over weekend. [2]

Clashes Spread to Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to hold an emergency security meeting on Monday after protests over the rising cost of living broke out into violent clashes in Milan. [1] More than 5,000 people gathered over the weekend. [1] Police deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters - many in masks - threw paving stones, bins and chairs at officers. [1] "To demonstrate is a right. To lay our cities to waste is not," Meloni said on Saturday, adding that "hooligans" had exploited the protests to "sow chaos". [1] More than 200 people were arrested across the weekend, according to Italian media. [1] More than 200 people were detained, 80% of whom were minors, Ansa reported. [1] The city's prosecutor's office has requested prison sentences for five adults arrested for looting, vandalism and resisting arrest, according to Italian news agency AGI. [1] Italian media reported that people - including police officers - were injured. [1] Violence between protesters and police also rippled into other cities in the north. [1] Meloni said people in Turin were detained while "carrying cobblestones and window-breaking hammers", while a train station in Bologna was closed as a precaution after similar disorder. [1] The prime minister - who is facing an election next year - also called on her political opponents to condemn the rioting. [1] "Do not be ambiguous about this," she said on X, explaining that condemnation must be "unanimous" because "any hesitation becomes justification". [1] Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein said her party had always condemned violence and that the rioting should not be used to stifle the voices of peaceful protesters across the country who are struggling to make a living, Ansa reported. [1] The violent disorder followed anti-government protests held by students in various Italian cities on Friday, and echoed similar unrest in neighbouring France, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets. [1]

French Premier announces localized curfews as violent cost-of-living protests continue across France. — Source: anadolu

Protests in Other European Countries most dangerous countries

The unrest has spread to other parts of Europe, including Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. [5] Italy saw a fresh round of demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, with clashes in Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin. [5] The protests centred on rising living costs, inadequate public services and mounting pressure on household finances. [5] In Spain, citizens took to the streets over housing prices. [5] The protests were triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home after an investment fund hiked her rent by 230 per cent, according to the Guardian. [5] Similar protests took place in Portugal on Saturday, with hundreds gathering in central Lisbon. [5] The march began peacefully but ended with masked rioters throwing stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and setting fire to barricades made from bar tables. [5] France’s Yellow Vest organizers announce fresh protests for Oct. 24. [3] Mobilizations to build toward Nov. 5 strike called by major trade unions over wages, jobs, and public services. [3] Rioting and violence have broken out on the sidelines of mostly peaceful youth-led protests in other European countries including France, Spain and Albania. [1] Milanese Mayor Giuseppe Sala said he was worried it was a "new phenomenon" that "originates from an international scenario and therefore feeds itself". [1] Speaking to Italian news agency Ansa, he said he witnessed "smashed shop windows, looted stores, and frightened citizens", adding that "what happened here is what we are seeing in many cities around the world". [1] Clashes began on Saturday and continued into Sunday in Milan. [1]

Political Reactions and Context

Meloni said people in Turin were detained while "carrying cobblestones and window-breaking hammers", while a train station in Bologna was closed as a precaution after similar disorder. [1] The prime minister - who is facing an election next year - also called on her political opponents to condemn the rioting. [1] "Do not be ambiguous about this," she said on X, explaining that condemnation must be "unanimous" because "any hesitation becomes justification". [1] “Tonight, we all feel anger and shame,” France’s President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the nation, adding there must be a distinction between protesters with “legitimate demands” and “those who destroyed, smashed, and looted”. [5] “Those who have destroyed must pay,” he said. [5] Mr Macron has also vowed that authorities will be “uncompromising in the face of violence.” [5] He stated that “listening to the anger” doesn’t mean those who vandalised and looted will go unpunished. [5] Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has attributed the wave of unrest sweeping France to immigration. [5] On Truth Social, he wrote, “France is burning!” [5] “The immigration of people from an entirely different world, people with hatred in their hearts, has shattered that once great country,” he continued. [5] French premier calls for localized curfews starting Monday evening amid unrest. [2] Lecornu announces major judicial response and support for businesses affected by violence and looting during protests over weekend. [2]

What to watch next: France’s Yellow Vest organizers announce fresh protests for Oct. 24 building toward a Nov. 5 strike called by major trade unions over wages, jobs, and public services while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni holds an emergency security meeting after the weekend clashes.