European Protests Spread: Greece Joins as France Braces for Demonstrations

Protests and strikes are spreading across six European countries over the cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, and education funding, with clashes with police and heightened security measures reported. Greece has joined the movement, while France braces for new demonstrations. In France, the government is preparing for Saturday protests planned by the "yellow vests" movement, with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu holding talks with union leaders and vowing a heavy security deployment. Italy faces fuel shortages at southern airports due to trucker protests, while Albania's university professors began a strike in solidarity with student demonstrations. Greek protesters, including thousands of students and teachers, held peaceful demonstrations in Athens and other cities on Wednesday, demanding increased education funding and better teacher pay. In Portugal, activists plan to re-erect tents in Lisbon after police removed protest camps, while Bulgaria saw demonstrations over Black Sea ship attacks and healthcare worker pay.