Hundreds of thousands of people across Europe protested on Saturday against the rising cost of living. Significant demonstrations were reported in France, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal. In France, over 550,000 individuals took part in protests, which led to violent clashes with police. The French Ministry of Interior reported that 1,200 arrests were made. Additionally, 150 police officers were injured during the unrest, which included looting and vandalism in cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu described the situation as a miracle given the scale of violence. President Emmanuel Macron vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
Protests in Portugal
In Portugal, protests were organized by housing rights groups and trade unions. They demanded higher wages and better public services. Demonstrations took place in major cities such as Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon. The slogan was: "Higher wages, better pensions, and public services. Against the rising cost of living. A new course for Portugal!" A spokesperson for the CGTP union pointed out the burden of rising prices on basic necessities. They stated that even a simple shopping basket has become unaffordable for many families. Organizers emphasized that the protests were peaceful and aimed at addressing issues like housing affordability and rising rents.
Unrest in Belgium and Italy
In Belgium, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Brussels. Ongoing demonstrations against university registration fees had already taken place. Meanwhile, Italy also saw smaller protests related to the cost of living crisis. This reflects a broader discontent across the continent. The protests are part of a growing wave of unrest in response to economic pressures from high inflation and fuel costs.
The protests could impact European markets, especially sectors sensitive to consumer spending, such as retail and housing. Rising social unrest may prompt governments to rethink fiscal policies. This could affect investor sentiment in the region.
Watch for further developments as governments respond to the protests and the economic conditions that have sparked this widespread unrest.
Based on reporting by: aljazeera.com, euronews.com