European Cities Erupt in Violent Protests Over Cost of Living and Housing Crises

European cities experienced a day of violent protests on October 17, marked by clashes, vandalism, and looting, driven by public anger over the high cost of living and housing crises. In France, roughly 800,000 people joined nationwide demonstrations, with masked groups attacking police, setting vehicles ablaze, and looting luxury stores like Hermès and Apple, leading to about 400 arrests. Protests in Italy, Belgium, and Albania also turned confrontational, targeting economic hardship, education cuts, and government corruption, while Lisbon saw thousands demand affordable housing amid soaring rents. Separately, German leftist parties in Berlin have proposed expropriating 160,000 apartments from large landlords, a plan estimated to cost €16 billion in compensation, though experts suggest the funds would be better spent on new construction.