European protests spread as France imposes first curfews

Protests have spread across Europe, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating in dozens of cities, prompting France to impose its first curfews in parts of Paris and Lille after violent rallies led to looting and property damage. The unrest began in France on September 17 over school staffing shortages, expanding to cost-of-living and public sector cuts, and has since reached six countries, including Spain, where an eviction-related death fueled rallies, and Albania, where corruption is a key grievance. Analysts warn discontent may spread further as Europe faces a "super cycle" of elections, with governments in Italy, Portugal, and Belgium condemning violence without concessions, while smaller protests have occurred in Greece, Austria, Ireland, and Germany.