Cost-of-living protests lead to 2,400 arrests in Europe
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rstp
Protests against the cost of living and deteriorating public services have led to about 2,400 arrests in Europe, while nearly 1,000 police officers and security personnel have been injured. In France, where unrest has affected Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Nantes, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a curfew in several areas on 19 October, RSTP reports, citing EXAME.
Protests over the cost of living and deteriorating public services in Europe have led to about 2,400 arrests, nearly 1,000 police officers and security personnel injured, and damage to more than 2,000 shops. The figures, reported by the EFE news agency, relate to protests that have shaken France, Italy, Albania, Belgium, Portugal and Spain.
In France, violence escalated on Saturday and Sunday in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Nantes, with clashes and acts of vandalism. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged that security forces had lost control in some cities and that the number of personnel deployed had not been sufficient. President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged failures in police management and called for new methods to end barricades and looting, while refusing to accept Nuñez’s resignation.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a curfew in several areas of the country on Monday 19 October. The Paris stock market opened lower at the start of the week, after two days of violence and uncertainty. The protests brought together students, trade unionists and pensioners amid inflation and dissatisfaction over the cost of living.
The unrest comes six months before the French presidential election, in which Emmanuel Macron cannot stand again. Kai Enno Lehmann, a European Union specialist at the University of São Paulo, believes the discontent could strengthen the far right’s message, particularly that of Marine Le Pen. Social protests have spread across Europe, while violence in France has already seen police acknowledge a loss of control.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
