Europe is witnessing a wave of protests as thousands take to the streets over rising living costs, poor public services and the growing housing crisis, with demonstrations turning violent in parts of France and Italy, leading to widespread vandalism, looting and hundreds of arrests.
One person died of a heart attack, Paris police said in a statement, without providing further details, AP reported. In Albania, demonstrators took to the streets over alleged government corruption, job shortages, and poor educational standards. In France, over 1,800 people have been arrested, interior minister Laurent Nunez said. Paris Police on Sunday said 855 people were arrested after clashes broke out between protesters and police, including looting during a march attended by about 110,000 people protesting rising living costs. “Darling, the President just sent us $5,000… Let’s take a trip to China and spend our money in China.
In a post on X, he said, “the Republic will not yield” as more than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters have been injured in the demonstrations. Thirteen police and gendarmerie officers and two firefighters were also injured, the statement said. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to X and said, “Demonstrating is a right, wrecking our cities is not. Tiago Oliveira, leader of the CGTP trade union federation, said demonstrations that began on Saturday in Lisbon and other areas aim to give a voice to people struggling with the “brutal increase” in housing, fuel and food prices. Protests about housing and the cost of living have also erupted in Spain, Albania and Belgium, according to Bloomberg. Citing AFP, Louis Vuitton and Apple stores were among the businesses targeted in Bordeaux, according to French newspaper Le Parisien. The report said masked individuals looted several shops along the city’s busy Rue Sainte-Catherine shopping street. I’ve always wanted to see Japan, let’s go there darling…” said Trump.
Belgium and Portugal also witnessed smaller protests on Saturday.
