Protests turn violent across Europe, hundreds arrested
Violent clashes during demonstrations over the cost of living, fuel prices, education policies and budget cuts have led to hundreds of arrests across France, Belgium and Italy, with police officers injured and businesses damaged in several cities.
Authorities in the three countries reported confrontations between protesters and security forces, while political leaders called for public order to be restored and condemned acts of violence.
France reports more than 2,000 arrests
More than 2,000 people were arrested following nationwide demonstrations in France on October 17, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. More than 600 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, although the minister said the figure was not final.
The protests, involving the Yellow Vests movement and students, were linked to rising living costs and fuel prices. Clashes broke out in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice and Limoges, among other cities.
Shops, including luxury brand outlets, were looted, while the historic town hall in Limoges was set on fire. Authorities also reported damage to public buildings and confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
In Paris, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters who threw objects and attempted to erect barricades. Bicycles, rubbish bins and wooden pallets were set alight near a historic square.
A demonstrator who became unwell during the Paris protests later died after being taken to a first-aid centre. According to the Paris police department, the person suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest. In a separate incident in Saint-Etienne, a demonstrator lost a hand.
Nunez condemned the violence, saying the right to protest did not justify attacks on security forces, public institutions or businesses. He pledged that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.
Opposition calls for interior minister to resign
The unrest triggered criticism from across France's political spectrum, with opposition figures demanding Nunez's resignation over the government's handling of the demonstrations.
Marine Tondelier, a leading figure in the Greens, described the situation as a disaster and accused the authorities of failing to protect citizens and property while restricting the right to peaceful protest.
Lawmakers from the left-wing France Unbowed party also called for Nunez to step down, with some extending their demands to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally, said public order had broken down and called on President Emmanuel Macron to apologise and leave office.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the unrest, linking France's problems to immigration in a social media post in which he urged the country to close its borders and regain control.
Brussels reports 150 arrests
In Belgium, police arrested 150 people following violent demonstrations in Brussels, while clashes were also reported in Liege.
Brussels police said 118 people were detained for administrative reasons and 32 faced judicial detention. The latter group included 15 minors and was linked to alleged offences such as throwing objects at police, resisting arrest and arson.
Five police officers sustained minor injuries, and the unrest caused significant damage in the city centre. Protesters used electric scooters and construction materials to build barricades.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds in Brussels and Liege.
The demonstrations were directed against education policies and budget cuts. Student protests that began in France over education conditions had spread to French-speaking Belgium on October 1, with earlier demonstrations also resulting in arrests and detentions.
Italy arrests 28 after cost-of-living protests
In Italy, police arrested 28 people, including 12 minors, following clashes during demonstrations against rising living costs, fuel prices and tax pressures on October 17.
According to figures reported by Sky TG24, 197 people were identified and taken to police stations, while 43 were reported to judicial authorities. A total of 141 law enforcement officers were injured, according to the police tally.
The demonstrations, organised by the Italia in Piazza movement, drew around 5,000 people in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia and 800 in Bergamo, according to police figures.
In Milan, protesters threw stones, bottles, firecrackers and barriers at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. Shops were damaged and looted, and a Carabinieri vehicle was destroyed. Police arrested 17 people in the city.
Retail association Confcommercio estimated damage to shops and businesses at more than 500,000 euros, according to Sky TG24.
In Turin, police arrested an adult accused of resisting an officer and three minors allegedly carrying Molotov cocktails. A group also entered a Feltrinelli bookstore at Porta Nuova station and threw books onto the floor.
In Bologna, five minors were arrested following clashes near the railway station, where demonstrators threw bottles, stones and barriers at officers.
Italian leaders condemn violence
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with law enforcement officers and urged opposition parties to condemn the violence unequivocally, while acknowledging that thousands of people had demonstrated peacefully.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said his League party would resubmit a parliamentary proposal requiring organisers of demonstrations deemed high-risk to provide financial guarantees to cover potential damage.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said protesters' concerns were understandable but stressed that attacks on police and extensive damage to the city were unacceptable.
Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore also condemned the violence, urging young people to distance themselves from those using demonstrations as a pretext for disorder.
The developments across France, Belgium and Italy highlight growing tensions surrounding living costs, public spending and education policies, as authorities face pressure to maintain public order while protecting the right to peaceful assembly.
Source:AA
