Germany Sees Sporadic Riots as French Protest Violence Eases Ahead of School Reopening

Protest Unrest Spreads Across Europe: France Sees Calmer Marches, Germany Hit by Riots

France witnessed a relative decline in protest-related violence over the weekend, offering some relief to authorities after weeks of unrest over the rising cost of living. However, police are bracing for fresh demonstrations as schools reopen on Monday following the autumn break.

Meanwhile, Germany experienced violent clashes after nationwide protests on Saturday, with rioters attacking police officers and looting shops in several cities. Across Europe, hundreds of thousands joined demonstrations, most of which remained peaceful despite isolated incidents of violence.

France Sees Fewer Arrests After Weekend Protests
In Paris, violence erupted towards the end of Saturday’s march when protesters attacked police officers with Molotov cocktails, injuring three officers and setting a car on fire, according to police.

Masked groups also threw fireworks at officers near a viewpoint overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Police repeatedly charged at the crowd, causing visitors to flee the area in panic.

Despite these incidents, the violence was considerably lower than during the October 17 unrest, when a city hall was set ablaze and more than 2,000 shops were looted within hours. Further demonstrations on October 24 had also resulted in significant disorder.

Police arrested 779 people across France on Saturday, compared with 2,628 on October 17 and 1,314 during the previous weekend. Authorities in Paris and Marseille reported attacks on a few shops but no major damage. Nearly 70,000 police personnel were deployed nationwide.

Protesters cited several everyday difficulties behind their anger, including rodent problems in classrooms, low wages and the rising cost of fuel.

Authorities expect tensions could increase when schools reopen on Monday, particularly as some groups have called for blockades. France is also preparing for a general strike on Thursday involving railway and public service workers, students and trade unions demanding better wages and other measures.

President Emmanuel Macron’s government is focusing on Thursday’s planned action and continuing negotiations with unions, while hoping that the street violence will gradually subside. An official close to the president described Saturday’s situation as a return to republican order, while acknowledging that challenges remain.

Riots in German Cities Leave More Than 100 Police Officers Injured
Germany witnessed demonstrations involving more than 100,000 people on Saturday. Led largely by young people, the protesters called for increased spending on education, housing and climate protection, along with measures to make daily life more affordable.

While the marches were largely peaceful, violence broke out in several cities during the night.

In Frankfurt, rioters attacked police officers and looted shops in the city centre following a demonstration. More than 100 officers were injured, while 54 people aged between 13 and 29 were detained. Police reported that 17 shops were damaged, including five that were looted. The situation gradually returned to normal by early Sunday.

Hesse Governor Boris Rhein strongly condemned the attacks and said those responsible would face punishment. He criticised the violence, saying people involved in the incidents had placed themselves outside society.

Clashes were also reported in Cologne, where police used water cannons to disperse crowds. In Berlin, protesters attacked officers with bottles and pyrotechnics.

The youth initiative Gen Z regelt, which organised Saturday’s demonstrations, distanced itself from the violence through a statement on Instagram. The group said it opposed all forms of violence and condemned attacks by individuals or groups not associated with the protests.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt alleged that violent left-wing groups and troublemakers from immigrant communities had taken advantage of the peaceful demonstrations. Speaking to Bild, he said those involved in rioting and looting would be identified and held accountable.

Housing Crisis Fuels Demonstrations in Portugal
Portugal also witnessed protests over the rising cost of living, with housing affordability emerging as a major concern.

Thousands of people marched through Lisbon on Saturday, while several hundred protesters later gathered overnight at Rossio, a prominent square in the city centre, demanding more affordable housing.

Riot police moved in early Sunday, forcibly removing demonstrators, dismantling tents and clearing the square. A few people were detained during the operation.

The demonstrations have been continuing for several weeks, inspired by a similar movement in Spain that has drawn attention to soaring living expenses, particularly the growing difficulty of finding affordable housing.