European Protests Over Living Costs Turn Violent in France and Albania
Protests over living costs, public services, housing and education spread across Europe on Saturday, with violent clashes in France and Albania and demonstrations in Italy, Portugal and Belgium. French police arrested about 1,200 people as arson and looting erupted in several cities. In France, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said around 550,000 people participated in demonstrations, with violent groups setting fire to a city hall in Limoges and breaking into Marseille’s city hall. Albanian police fired rubber bullets for the first time during five days of unrest in Tirana, where 35 people were wounded and 167 arrested. The protests reflect mounting discontent over living standards, education and housing affordability, though triggers varied by country. In Albania, demonstrators demand Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, while Portugal saw protests over housing prices that have doubled since 2017. Belgian students protested education costs, inspired partly by French demonstrations.