PARIS: Mounting economic hardship has fuelled a wave of demonstrations across France, Belgium, Italy and Portugal, as thousands of people took to the streets to voice anger over unaffordable housing, stagnant wages and the rising cost of daily life. In several cities, peaceful marches gave way to violent confrontations, prompting police intervention and widespread property damage.
The protests, held separately across the four countries on Saturday, underscored the challenges facing European governments as household budgets come under increasing strain. Student concerns over education costs and uncertain career prospects have added to wider public frustration.
France recorded the largest turnout, with the Interior Ministry putting participation at more than 550,000 people. Demonstrations in the country turned particularly volatile, with authorities reporting attacks on police, fires and the looting of commercial premises.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said approximately 1,200 people had been arrested and 150 police officers injured. Speaking during a visit to officers in Paris, he expressed concern about the severity of the clashes.
The damage extended beyond the capital. Shops were targeted in cities including Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Nantes, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg. In Limoges, a fire caused extensive destruction at the town hall, a historic structure dating back more than a century. Municipal buildings in Marseille and Lille were also vandalised, while Lyon’s tourist office was set ablaze.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the destruction had affected entire streets. President Emmanuel Macron, responding publicly to the unrest, vowed that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
Police confront demonstrators in Belgium
Belgium also witnessed fresh clashes, particularly in Brussels, where students have been protesting against university registration fees in recent weeks.
Police used tear gas and water cannon after accusing some demonstrators of throwing projectiles and starting fires. Similar measures were taken in Liège as officers moved to disperse crowds. Officials had not released an overall estimate of the number of people involved.
The demonstrations reflect growing concern over the financial barriers facing students and the broader pressure on families struggling to meet everyday expenses.
Lisbon marches highlight housing crisis
In Portugal, tens of thousands of demonstrators reportedly gathered in Lisbon, making housing affordability and low earnings central themes of the protest.
The country has experienced a sharp increase in property costs. House prices have more than doubled since 2017, while rents on new tenancies have risen substantially, placing homes beyond the reach of many residents, particularly in major urban centres.
The government has faced criticism over its handling of the crisis. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos Abreu Amorim said the administration would not give in to pressure from street demonstrations. Protesters countered that political leaders were disconnected from the realities confronting households.
Milan sees clashes after peaceful march
In Italy, a demonstration in Milan against war and rising living expenses escalated after masked groups confronted riot police. Stones and pieces of paving were thrown at officers, while makeshift barricades constructed from tables were set on fire.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannon, clearing parts of the city centre, including the area around Piazza del Duomo and a prominent luxury shopping arcade.
Italian news agency LaPresse reported that two police officers were injured and about 50 protesters detained, many of them minors. Authorities also reported clashes in Bologna, where violence occurred alongside peaceful gatherings.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised those responsible for the destruction, stressing that the right to demonstrate did not excuse attacks on cities or law enforcement.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the economic concerns behind the rallies deserved attention but rejected the use of violence and damage to public property.
Protests could widen beyond four countries
The simultaneous demonstrations have prompted questions about whether dissatisfaction over economic conditions could spread to more European countries.
Alberto Alemanno, a professor of EU law and policy at HEC Paris Business School, told Al Jazeera that France appeared to be the main centre of the current wave, but signs of unrest elsewhere suggested the discontent might not remain confined to one country.
He identified Greece, Germany and Austria as places where early signs of mobilisation were emerging and suggested further demonstrations could follow.
According to Alemanno, the protests should not be viewed as a single coordinated campaign. Instead, they bring together different groups facing related problems, including pressure on living standards, insufficient education funding and uncertainty about employment after graduation.
The developments come ahead of an important electoral period for Europe, with national votes expected in Spain, France, Italy and Poland over the next year. Economic grievances and the public response to the demonstrations could become increasingly prominent in political debate.
For governments, the unrest presents a twofold challenge: responding to demands for more affordable living conditions while maintaining public order as anger spills onto the streets.
