Protests Spread Across Europe as Portugal, Italy, and Belgium Join France
Protests against economic and social conditions took place on Saturday in Portugal, Italy, and Belgium, in addition to France. Tens of thousands marched in Lisbon over housing and living costs, while hundreds protested in Brussels and Liege. In Brussels, police used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators, with several cars set on fire and urban furniture damaged. Protesters criticized a previous police intervention at a union rally. Italy's CGIL union said 100,000 people attended a peaceful rally in Rome, with leader Maurizio Landini criticizing low welfare spending and high military costs. Lisbon marchers highlighted that property prices and rents have nearly doubled in ten years, with inflation recently rising due to fuel costs linked to the war against Iran. Italian youth protests in Milan, Turin, and Bologna saw clashes with police, and CGIL plans a general strike on November 20.