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From Spain to Albania, anger over economic pressures spills onto streets across Europe
From violent clashes and looting in France, Italy and Albania to tent camps in Spain and Portugal, protesters are taking to the streets to voice their anger.
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Europe has been hit by unrest as mounting economic pressures and growing frustration over public services fuel demonstrations across the continent. From violent clashes and looting in France, Italy and Albania to tent camps in Spain and Portugal, protesters are taking to the streets to voice anger over rising living costs, struggling schools and deteriorating services.
Rising living costs trigger France riots
France has stepped up security measures, including targeted overnight curfews and restrictions on gatherings, after a weekend of violent rioting and looting which led to 2,400 arrests in the country.
The riots on Saturday led to thousands of businesses being affected, with public buildings, including city halls, targeted. The demonstrations, which began over rising living costs and declining public services, turned violent in several cities.
The unrest even brought down the historic town hall in Limoges, which was “largely destroyed” in a fire.
Deep Dive
Responding to the situation in France, Trump wrote, “The migrants have taken over France. They must CLOSE THE BORDERS, FAST!” on Monday. French authorities and police have not blamed immigrants.
ALSO READ: ‘Macron must step down’: French opposition blames president as riots and looting rock France | Paris
Protests in Spain over education, housing
Spain is also witnessing a wave of protests over education and housing, with teachers in Madrid launching an indefinite strike last week to push for improved wages and working conditions, the Associated Press reported.
Housing activists have maintained tent camps in central Madrid’s Puerta del Sol for weeks, drawing attention to soaring rents and evictions.
Italy protests over inflation
Thousands of Italians have joined the “Italia in Piazza" (Italy in the Streets), to demand higher salaries, more job opportunities and improved access to healthcare, education and affordable housing. The protests come as inflation hit 4.2 per cent in September, according to government data, reported by AP.
What began as peaceful demonstrations later turned into violence in Turin Bologna, and Milan, where masked protesters confronted police, ransacked shops and set property on fire.
ALSO READ: Targeted curfews, protest bans: France steps up security after worst riots in years; 2,400 arrested
Albania demands PM's resignation
Anti-government protests have also hit Albania's capital of Tirana over the last week. Tensions intensified as school and university students joined the “Flamingo” movement, adding momentum to the opposition campaign for the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.
In Serbia, the university students leading mass anti-corruption protests for nearly two years are challenging an attempted return to power by the Balkan country’s former populist leader Aleksandar Vucic in parliamentary elections.
