Paris: Youth-led demonstrations over rising living costs, social inequality and government spending cuts swept across Europe on Saturday, with hundreds of thousands taking part in largely peaceful marches. However, scattered violence was reported in France and Germany, while protests over housing costs continued in Portugal.
In France, authorities expressed relief after the latest demonstrations resulted in less violence than previous weekends, although police remain on alert for further unrest as schools reopen after the autumn break on Monday.
Around 70,000 police personnel were deployed across the country amid concerns that Halloween masks and costumes could make it harder to identify those involved in violence. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had warned of a "very high risk" of unrest, promising a firm response to any trouble.
In Paris, rioters hurled Molotov cocktails at police towards the end of Saturday's march, injuring three officers and setting a car ablaze, police said. Masked groups also threw fireworks at officers near the Eiffel Tower, prompting police to charge repeatedly and sending visitors fleeing.
However, the overall violence was less severe than on October 17, when a city hall was torched and more than 2,000 stores were looted, or during follow-up demonstrations on October 24. Police arrested 779 people on Saturday, compared with 2,628 on October 17 and 1,314 the previous weekend. A handful of shops were targeted in Paris and Marseille, but no major damage was reported.
The protests in France gained momentum in late September as President Emmanuel Macron's minority government began discussions on the 2027 budget. With public debt approaching 120 per cent of economic output and borrowing costs rising, the government faces pressure to reduce spending.
Students protesting overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school facilities and an admissions system they consider unfair have been joined by trade unions and members of the resurgent Yellow Vest movement, which is demanding action on the cost of living. Protesters have also highlighted struggles involving low wages, fuel costs and conditions in classrooms.
Police are preparing for possible further tensions as schools reopen, with some groups calling for blockades. A general strike on trains and public services, along with demonstrations by students and labour unions demanding higher wages and other measures, is scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile, Germany witnessed violence after more than 100,000 people, mostly young demonstrators, took part in protests across the country on Saturday. Organised by the youth initiative "Gen Z regelt", the demonstrations called for greater investment in education, housing and climate protection, as well as measures to make daily life more affordable.
The movement had called for protests in 34 cities, including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. Demonstrators raised concerns over austerity, social injustice, rising living costs, military conscription and climate change.
Although the marches were largely peaceful during the day, violence broke out in several cities at night. In Frankfurt, rioters attacked police and looted stores following a demonstration. More than 100 officers were injured, while 54 people aged between 13 and 29 were detained. Police said 17 stores were damaged, five of which were looted. The situation calmed by early Sunday after officers cordoned off part of the city centre.
Violence was also reported in Cologne, where police used water cannons to disperse crowds, and in Berlin, where protesters attacked officers with bottles and pyrotechnics.
Hesse Governor Boris Rhein condemned the violence in Frankfurt, saying those responsible would be held accountable. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from the immigrant community of hijacking peaceful demonstrations and said the rioters and looters would be identified.
The organisers, however, distanced themselves from the violence, saying on Instagram that the initiative opposed all forms of violence, including acts committed by individuals or groups not associated with the demonstrations. German police said they remained vigilant while seeking to protect the right to assemble and express opinions.
In Portugal, protests over housing affordability continued in Lisbon. Thousands marched through the city during the day, while a few hundred demonstrators remained overnight in Rossio Square. Riot police intervened early Sunday, forcibly removing protesters, clearing tents and detaining some of them.
The demonstrations have continued for weeks, inspired by a movement in Spain and driven largely by demands for more affordable housing and action on rising living costs.
Across Europe, the protests reflect growing frustration among younger generations over economic pressures, deteriorating public services, social inequality and concerns that political decisions are being made without sufficient consideration of their future.
(With agency inputs from ANI and AP via PTI)