Protests hit 8 European countries, chaos in France

Europe is experiencing widespread anti-government protests. Demonstrations and protests have erupted in 8 countries. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Belgium,France,Italy and Portugal to protest against rising living costs, low wages and the growing difficulty of accessing affordable housing.The demonstrations have put governments across the European Union under pressure.
France experienced one of its most turbulent days of protests in decades, with more than 550,000 people joining demonstrations, according to the Ministry of Interior, and police facing off with protesters across the country. The marches, which followed weeks of student protests, degenerated into clashes, looting and fires after violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, luxury boutiques and supermarkets, and attacked police vehicles and officers. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 1,200 people were arrested and 150 police officers were hurt. “It’s a miracle the toll wasn’t higher,” he said as he visited officers deployed in central Paris.Dozens of shops were looted in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Limoges, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg.
In Belgium’s capital, Brussels – which has already seen weeks of protests by students against university registration fees – police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters, whom they accused of launching missiles at them and setting fires. In Liege, a smaller city east of Brussels, police also deployed water cannon to break up demonstrations. Police did not say how many people attended.

French police clashed with protesters and rioters across France on Saturday as around 550,000 people joined nationwide protests, including 110,000 in Paris. https://t.co/yqCumaHBBp

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 17, 2026

In the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, an estimated tens of thousands of protesters marched against the cost of living crisis, low wages and an inability to access housing in major cities. House prices in Portugal have more than doubled ⁠⁠since 2017, while rents for new leases have increased nearly as much. Portuguese Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos ‌‌Abreu ‌‌Amorim said on Friday that the “government will not yield to shouts from the street”. Protesters said their leaders are “out of touch” with the problem.

#Portugal — Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Porto as police attempted to disperse a demonstration for the right to housing. Police attacked activists from Movimento pela Habitação (Housing Movement), who had set up camp in Praça D. João to protest against high rents and speculation in the housing market by banks and investment funds. The action aimed to pressure the government to address the housing crisis. 37 people were injured in the police attacks. Following the assault, thousands of people gathered to protest police violence against the activists.

— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) October 16, 2026

In Milan, rioters clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire in the city centre, emptying Piazza del Duomo and a luxury arcade that would usually be full of shoppers. A march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully, but masked protesters threw stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and set fire to barricades made from bar tables. Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds. At least two police officers were injured, and about 50 demonstrators, many of them minors, were detained, the Italian LaPresse news agency reported. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence. “Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,” she wrote on X, blaming “hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos”.

This is Milan city in Italy , where the violent protests are still going on . After UK, France and now Italy in this list . This might be an inflation protest in Italy but the law and order should be tight so that things don't run away from hands. https://t.co/Yw0w4asPcm

— Matrix (@matrixatwork) October 18, 2026

In Spain, students in large number protest in Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities.Throughout the autumn, protests have been ongoing against rising rents, evictions, and real estate speculation. People are demanding affordable housing and protection for tenants in Spain.

Spain: Clashes erupt in Pamplona as leftist and Basque nationalist protesters confront right-wing activist Vito Quiles during the first stop of his tour ahead of the November 29 elections. Quiles addressed 50–100 supporters under heavy police protection, declaring Navarra “more Spanish than ever.” Protesters threw stones and bottles, burned trash containers and erected barricades. Police used charges and foam projectiles, arrested three people, including a 16-year-old, and reported four officers lightly injured. Quiles, a self-described journalist, is widely portrayed by mainstream Spanish media as an agitator and propagandist.

— Military Summary (@MilitarySummary) October 18, 2026

In Austria. students and representatives of left-wing youth organizations took to the streets in a protest against the planned or discussed ban on Muslim headscarves (hijabs) for girls under 14.
Albania. Protests began due to the construction of a resort near a protected area, but they evolved into demonstrations against corruption and the government. Clashes occurred after the protests on October 13th. They are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Serbia. Protests have been ongoing since November 2024 following the deaths of 16 people due to the collapse of a train station awning. People accuse the authorities of corruption and demand that those responsible be punished. In October 2026, the movement intensified ahead of the elections.
A 2026 survey shows that only slightly more than 50% of young people aged 16-26 in Europe are optimistic about their future – compared to 70% in 2017. They feel that European policies are not working for the benefit of the next generation..Alberto Alemanno, professor at HEC Paris, cites underfunded education, rising costs and uncertain graduate prospects.