Brief
Cost‑of‑living protests sweep Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France
Uncoordinated demonstrations in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France drew tens of thousands of protesters and prompted police use of tear gas and water cannon.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Saturday, Oct. 17, hundreds of thousands of Europeans took to the streets in Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal to protest rising living costs, according to Al Jazeera.
What happened
In France, more than 550,000 people participated in demonstrations across the country, with police confronting crowds in Paris, Marseille and other cities. Belgium saw police deploy tear gas and water cannon in Brussels and Liège after protesters allegedly launched missiles and set fires. In Italy, police in Milan and Bologna reported stone‑throwing and clashes, resulting in injuries and arrests. Portugal’s capital Lisbon hosted tens of thousands of demonstrators who set up tents to highlight a housing shortage, soaring rents and low wages.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera noted that the French protests, while not as large as nationwide rallies earlier in the month, may signal a spread of unrest beyond France, quoting Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law at HEC Paris, who said, “France is the epicentre of this movement … and there are signs now that this is spreading beyond France.” The outlet also reported Portuguese Parliamentary Affairs Minister Carlos Abreu Amorim’s statement that the government would not “yield to shouts from the street.”
What was said
Alberto Alemanno told Al Jazeera, “France is the epicentre of this movement … and there are signs now that this is spreading beyond France.” Portuguese minister Carlos Abreu Amorim said, “The government will not yield to shouts from the street.”
How it came about
These protests follow weeks of unrest in France, where earlier demonstrations over cost of living and school conditions led to dozens of arrests (Felo coverage). Similar grievances have driven student protests in Brussels over university fees, and mounting pressure on governments across the EU to address housing, wages and energy prices.
Key facts
- More than 550,000 people protested in France on Oct. 17 (aljazeera.com)
- Police used tear gas and water cannon in Brussels and Liège (aljazeera.com)
- Portuguese minister Carlos Abreu Amorim said the government will not yield to street protests (aljazeera.com)
- Alberto Alemanno said the movement is spreading beyond France (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Cost of living protests hit Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France”
