European protests over living costs turn violent in France, Italy, Belgium

krone.at (German) —

Protests against high living costs erupted across multiple European countries on Saturday, including France, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal, with violent clashes reported in several cities. Police used tear gas and water cannons in Brussels and Milan, where demonstrators threw stones at officers. In Milan, protesters outside the cathedral attacked police with stones and objects, prompting tear gas deployment, shop closures, and tourist evacuations. Several people were injured, police vehicles damaged, and numerous arrests made. Bologna police arrested seven people after using water cannons, while masked demonstrators in Brussels caused property damage. Tens of thousands marched in Lisbon against rising costs and the housing crisis, following a police raid on an activist camp in Porto. Portuguese property prices have more than doubled since 2017. In France, 272 people were arrested by afternoon amid looting and property damage, with authorities maintaining high alert.


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