"See: destroyed store sites and burnt buildings – Europe faces the effects of fresh violent protests Over the past weekend, clashes broke out in respective major cities and unrest spread beyond the borders of France"

Updated 18 Oct, 2026 16:25

Yellow vest imposed on Marianna's monument in the Republic Square (Place de la République) after national protests; Paris, France, October 18, 2026. © Mustafa Yalcin / Anadol via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of European cities over the past weekend, protesting the rising cost of living, housing shortages and government policies. In respective countries, demonstrations have evolved into violent clashes, looting, and arson. As a consequence of the unrest, store sites were minted, damaged public utility buildings and burnt vehicles.

The top demolition was recorded in France, where protests broke out first. The clashes besides occurred in Belgium and Italy, while a separate wave of anti-government demonstrations continued in Albania.

W Portugal besides protested tens of thousands of people, although there was no force or demolition on specified a scale.

Recordings from different corners of Europe showed minted store sites, looted shops, burning vehicles and fire close public buildings.

In the French Limoges the flames covered the historical town hall, and in Milan masked demonstrators threw stones at police troops close the Gothic Cathedral and set fire to street barricades.

In Brussels, protesters turned the car, while in Tirana they threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the police close the Ministry of Education.

In many cities, police utilized teardrop gas and water cannons to drive the crowds away.

Mass protests reflect a number of local problems and discontents, not the effect of a single coordinated movement.

In France, demonstrations took place, among others, in Marseille, Strasbourg, Nantes and Lyon.

Protests which initially broke out due to mediocre conditions in schools and staff shortages among teachers have expanded, including opposition to maintenance costs, social inequality, the state of public services and planned expenditure cuts.

According to the authorities, 550 000 people took part in the Saturday national demonstrations, while organizers estimation this number to be 800 000.

In Belgium, student groups opposed the expanding cost of education and reforms, which they thought could restrict access to higher education.

In Italy, the marches against advanced maintenance and war costs were initially peaceful, but in Milan and Bologna, any of the participants separated from the main group and clashed with the police.

In Portugal, protesters took to the streets, opposed to low wages, rising rents and the deficiency of affordable housing.

Thousands marched through Lisbon, pitching tents in Rossio Square to draw attention to the current crisis.

In Albania, protests conducted by students have been going on for the 5th day in a row.

The demonstrators request the resignation of Prime Minister Edie Rama, pointing to corruption allegations, occupation shortages and mediocre prospects for young people.

The opposition besides drew attention to a luxury tourist task on the confederate coast, linked to an investment company founded by U.S. president Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

French police arrested nearly 1,800 people; more than 500 wounded police officers, police officers, and firefighters were besides reported.

In Paris, 1 of the demonstrators who had a cardiac arrest died.

Carrefour's network reported harm to 50 stores, of which 20 were looted and losses reached tens of millions of euros.

W Limoges cost of repairing the town hall, damaged by fire, was estimated to be a million euros, while Bordeaux reported that up to 100 shops had been looted.

In Belgium, in Liège, 45 people were arrested, including 12 minors; clashes and property demolition occurred there.

In Italy, about 50 detentions were reported in Milan and 4 in Bologna, where 36 law enforcement officers were injured.

In Albania, data on the number of arrests and victims during the five-day unrest were divergent.

Seven officers were suspended from work until the conclusion of an investigation into allegations of excessive force.

Translated by Google Translator

source:https://rt-english.com/news/647364-aftermath-protests-europe-cost-viving/