Europe protests leave shops damaged; France reports 1,800 arrests

French police arrested nearly 1,800 people during weekend demonstrations over education, living costs and public services, according to an October 18 report by RT. The outlet reported widespread property damage in France, clashes in Belgium and Italy, and continuing anti-government unrest in Albania.

French authorities reported more than 500 injured police officers, gendarmes and firefighters. One demonstrator died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Paris. These figures and the accounts of damage have not been independently verified by BharatVox.

The demonstrations reflected separate national grievances rather than a single coordinated movement. Portugal also saw tens of thousands protest, but the report did not describe violence or destruction there on a comparable scale.

France reports damage to shops and a historic town hall

French authorities put turnout on Saturday, October 17, at 550,000 nationwide, while organisers estimated 800,000. Demonstrations took place in Marseille, Strasbourg, Nantes, Lyon and other cities.

The protests reportedly began over deteriorating school conditions and teacher shortages before expanding to include inequality, pressure on household budgets, public services and proposed spending cuts.

Carrefour reported damage to 50 stores, including 20 that were looted, and losses running into tens of millions of euros. Bordeaux reported as many as 100 looted shops.

In Limoges, fire damaged the historic town hall, with the city estimating repairs at €1 million. The report also described damaged shopfronts, burned vehicles and fires near public buildings, with police using tear gas and water cannons in several cities.

Education, wages and housing drive separate rallies

In Belgium, student groups protested higher education costs and reforms they argued could make university study less accessible. Authorities reported 45 arrests in Liège, including 12 minors, following clashes and property damage. A car was overturned during unrest in Brussels.

Italian marches against living costs and wars initially proceeded peacefully before groups separated from the demonstrations and confronted police in Milan and Bologna. The account described stone-throwing near Milan’s cathedral and burning street barricades.

Italy reported about 50 detentions in Milan and four in Bologna. In Bologna, 36 law-enforcement personnel were reported injured.

Portugal’s demonstrations focused on low wages, rising rents and a shortage of affordable homes. Thousands marched in Lisbon, where participants pitched tents in Rossio square to draw attention to housing pressures.

Albanian protests bring scrutiny of government and police

Student-led demonstrations in Albania entered a fifth consecutive day, with protesters calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign over corruption allegations, scarce jobs and limited opportunities for young people. Demonstrators in Tirana reportedly threw stones and petrol bombs at police near the Education Ministry.

Opposition also targeted a luxury tourism development on the southern coast linked to an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The reporting did not establish wrongdoing connected to the project or substantiate the corruption allegations against Rama.

Arrest and injury totals for Albania varied across the accounts cited. Seven officers were suspended pending an investigation into alleged excessive force; the suspensions do not establish that misconduct occurred.