A fresh wave of demonstrations swept across Europe on Saturday, with France witnessing its third consecutive weekend of protests and Germany seeing youth-led rallies turn violent in several cities. Protesters took to the streets over rising living costs, poor education infrastructure, housing concerns and opposition to compulsory military service.
While hundreds of thousands participated in demonstrations across France, masked rioters in Germany looted shops, damaged property and hurled petrol bombs at police personnel. Protests over the housing crisis also took place in Portugal, while authorities in the Netherlands stepped up security amid fears of unrest.
France records over 560 arrests as protests enter third weekend
France witnessed another round of demonstrations on Saturday, with the government estimating that around 320,000 people participated nationwide. The turnout was lower than the 550,000 recorded on October 17 and 410,000 on October 24, according to official figures. Organisers reportedly claimed higher participation, although their estimates were not available.
The agitation initially began last month when high school students protested against teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and problems with the university admissions system. Labour unions and other groups subsequently joined the movement, expanding its demands to include concerns over living costs, wages and public services.
In Paris, demonstrations along the Boulevards des Maréchaux, which circle the outskirts of the city, were largely peaceful initially. Marchers celebrated Halloween, with techno music playing and some participants going trick-or-treating.
However, tensions escalated near Porte de Charenton, where protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks. Police responded with stun grenades and tear gas. Similar clashes were reported in other French cities, although most demonstrations remained peaceful.
French authorities reported that more than 560 people had been arrested nationwide by Saturday night. The government had deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country to prevent further violence.
Authorities had also imposed restrictions on certain gatherings in Paris, while student organisations called for further school and university blockades in the coming days.
Students, workers and climate activists voice grievances
The demonstrations brought together people from different sections of society, with participating groups carrying separate banners highlighting their demands.
High school students, climate activists, labour groups and people struggling with the cost of living were among those who joined the protests.
A 21-year-old student, Corentin Cabreux, described the poor conditions at his state-run student accommodation, saying there were damp stains along the walls, peeling sections, cockroaches and rats.
An information technology worker also participated in solidarity with students and her mother, who was struggling to make ends meet on a minimum-wage job.
Another demonstrator, an elderly woman with grey hair, carried a placard reading, "The Old are Fed Up Too", highlighting how economic grievances extended beyond younger protesters.
Germany's Gen Z demonstrations turn violent in Frankfurt
In Germany, demonstrations organised by the campaign group 'Gen Z regelt', which translates to 'Gen Z takes charge', took place across 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.
The movement called for greater investment in education, lower living costs and opposition to compulsory military service. Protesters also demanded better support for healthcare and a fairer distribution of economic responsibilities.
Tens of thousands participated in the demonstrations, although official figures from police in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin put the combined turnout at around 18,000, compared with approximately 36,000 participants claimed on the organisers' website.
Most gatherings were peaceful initially, but violence broke out in several cities later in the day.
In Frankfurt, masked and hooded rioters smashed shop windows, looted stores and damaged several establishments, including a gun shop. Police said weapons taken from the gun store were subsequently recovered.
Demonstrators threw stones, fireworks and petrol bombs, including Molotov cocktails, at police and emergency personnel. Several police officers were injured in the clashes.
Authorities deployed water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowds. Police also arrested a suspect and seized two weapons.
Frankfurt police issued a warning on X, saying shop windows had been smashed in the city centre and Molotov cocktails were being thrown at emergency personnel. They urged people who were not involved in the demonstrations to avoid or leave the area.
Violence was also reported in other German cities. In Hamburg, protesters set barricades on fire and launched fireworks towards police, prompting officers to use water cannons and tear gas.
In Cologne, police ended a demonstration early after protesters threw stones, used pyrotechnics and covered their faces despite restrictions. Clashes were also reported in Berlin.
Gen Z protesters demand better education and oppose military service
Lina Friedrich, a spokesperson for Gen Z regelt, defended the movement's demands while speaking at a demonstration in Berlin on Saturday.
"We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion," she said.
She added that protesters wanted better support for healthcare and education systems, opposed compulsory military service and sought a fairer distribution of the burden on society.
The campaign has also faced questions over its organisation and leadership. Germany's national student umbrella organisation had distanced itself from the initiative, citing concerns about its organisational structure and the possibility that young people's grievances could be used for political purposes.
Despite the violence in some cities, organisers maintained that their campaign was centred on peaceful demands for better public services and improved living conditions.
Portugal sees fresh demonstrations over housing crisis
Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, to protest against the country's worsening housing crisis.
Demonstrators, including families with young children, gathered in one of the capital's main squares carrying placards reading "Houses or Fire" and "We are not Afraid". Some participants also carried small cardboard houses to highlight the difficulties faced by people trying to find affordable accommodation.
Portugal is grappling with one of Europe's most severe housing crises, with younger people particularly affected. House prices have more than doubled since 2017, while rents for new leases have nearly doubled.
The protesters demanded that the government withdraw a proposed rental bill that would make evictions easier and end rent caps on new leases.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro ruled out scrapping the legislation on Thursday but indicated that the government was open to amendments before the bill's final vote in the coming weeks.
The demonstration was aimed at increasing pressure on the government to address housing affordability and protect tenants.
Netherlands steps up security amid fears of unrest
In the Netherlands, authorities maintained a heavy police presence in and around the downtown shopping district of The Hague on Saturday following online appeals for demonstrations and concerns about possible looting and rioting.
Several shops had boarded up their windows as a precaution. Police also monitored groups of young people and carried out checks in areas where gatherings were expected.
Later reports indicated that riot police intervened near Korte Voorhout after groups of youths refused to follow instructions to move towards the designated protest area at Malieveld. At least 10 people were reported arrested.
Police also conducted checks for weapons and prohibited items, while fireworks were heard in the area.
The developments came as discontent over living costs, education, housing and economic opportunities continued to fuel demonstrations across several European countries.