France’s 550,000-strong protests over living costs spread across Europe
Separate demonstrations in France, Italy, Belgium and Portugal on 17 October brought people out over living costs, public services, education costs and housing. France saw the largest mobilisation, with the Interior Ministry estimating 550,000 participants; clashes, looting and fires were also reported in several countries, while Spain and Albania have seen protests over housing and government grievances.
Bottom line — France’s Interior Ministry counted 550,000 demonstrators; the protests remain separate, with country-specific demands and responses.
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The protests in France began with students’ concerns about school conditions and funding, then widened to living costs and public services, the Guardian reports.
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France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 1,200 people were arrested and 150 police officers injured, according to Al Jazeera.
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The CGT union put French turnout at 800,000, compared with the Interior Ministry’s estimate of 550,000, TimesNow reports.
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In Belgium, students protested university costs and reforms they fear could restrict access; police used tear gas and water cannon in Brussels and Liège, Al Jazeera reports.
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In Lisbon, demonstrators called for action on housing, wages and living costs; Portugal’s house prices have more than doubled since 2017, Al Jazeera reports.
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Spain’s housing protests followed the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal; Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for 29 November after housing proposals failed in parliament, the Guardian reports.
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Albania’s student-led protests have expanded to demands over jobs, education and alleged corruption, with demonstrators calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign, TimesNow reports.
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Alberto Alemanno, a professor at HEC Paris, told Al Jazeera the protests are not coordinated but share concerns including living costs and underfunded education.