World News
Separate cost-of-living protests held across four European countries
Al Jazeera reports that hundreds of thousands joined separate cost-of-living protests across four European countries, with police clashes in several cities.
Latest update: Milan police reported 271 arrests during two days of unrest, with most of those detained being minors.
The short version
- Al Jazeera reports that hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in separate cost-of-living protests across Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal.[Al Jazeera]
- In France, over 550,000 people joined demonstrations, with police facing off against protesters across the country.[Al Jazeera]
- Brussels police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters they accused of launching missiles and setting fires, while Milan and Bologna police reported stone-throwing and clashes; Italian media reported injuries and arrests.[Al Jazeera]
- Portugal's parliamentary affairs minister said the government will not yield to street pressure, while protesters said their leaders are out of touch.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Hundreds of thousands of people took part in separate cost-of-living demonstrations across Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal.[Al Jazeera]
- Over 550,000 people joined demonstrations in France, according to Al Jazeera's reporting.[Al Jazeera]
- Brussels police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters whom they accused of launching missiles and setting fires.[Al Jazeera]
- Italian police in Milan and Bologna reported that protesters threw stones and clashed with officers during the rallies.[Al Jazeera]
- Italian media reported several injuries and arrests following the clashes.[Al Jazeera]
- House prices in Portugal have more than doubled since 2017, and rents for new leases have risen nearly as much.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Alberto Alemanno, a professor at HEC Paris, told Al Jazeera there are signs the movement is spreading beyond France; this expert view is not independently confirmed in the reporting.[Al Jazeera]
- Police accounts of missiles, fires and clashes are allegations as reported by Al Jazeera, and their accuracy has not been independently verified.[Al Jazeera]
- Italian media reported several injuries and arrests without specific counts in the reporting.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Cost of living protests hit Belgium, Italy, Portugal and FranceAl Jazeera
- ‘We are suffocating’: protests spread to Lisbon and Milan as housing and living cost tensions intensifyThe Guardian - World
- From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe’s streets ablazeAssociated Press
- From France to Albania, social unrest is setting Europe's streets ablazeABC News - International
- From France to Albania, how social unrest is fueling protests across EuropePBS NewsHour - World
- What’s making Europe so angry? The frustration behind the protestsCNBC
- Anger at rising fuel prices bolsters Europe's far right as unrest sweeps FranceFrance 24
- ‘A powerful warning’: will Europe’s angry protests lead to real political change?The Guardian - World
- The history behind France’s proud tradition of protestsAssociated Press
- France protests: Macron condemns 'stupid' comments from Trump, others as bond-market pressure buildsCNBC