Hyderabad: French authorities have prohibited all gatherings and demonstrations in Marseille from noon to 8 pm local time on Monday (Oct. 19), following violent protests across several European countries over the weekend. The ban was announced by the police prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhone in southern France in a post on X.
French President Emmanuel Macron has promised legal action against those involved in Saturday’s violence, saying that those responsible for damaging public property, attacking government offices and businesses, and looting town halls would face prosecution and punishment.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in major European cities over the weekend to protest rising living costs, a shortage of affordable housing and mounting pressure on public services, Xinhua news agency reported. The demonstrations, marked by violent confrontations in France and Italy and large rallies in Portugal, highlighted growing economic inequalities and public discontent across the continent.
Macron said in a post on X on Saturday (October. 17) that violence had no place in France, warning that those responsible for destruction and attacks during the demonstrations would be held accountable.
In France, around 550,000 people participated in nationwide protests on Saturday. Farmers, trade unions, climate activists and students joined the demonstrations, calling for relief from high fuel prices and inflation, as well as opposing cuts to public services. The protests escalated into clashes with law enforcement.
According to the French Interior Ministry, 997 police officers and gendarmes sustained injuries, including seven who were seriously hurt. Authorities arrested 2,397 people across the country.
Italy also witnessed protests over the rising cost of living, particularly in the northern city of Milan. Hundreds of demonstrators dressed in black gathered at Piazza del Duomo and threw bottles and firecrackers at police. Italian news agency ANSA reported that at least four police officers and 20 protesters were injured, while around 50 demonstrators were detained.
In Brussels, the Belgian capital, clashes broke out between police and protesters as students and their supporters demonstrated against education reforms and increasing costs.
Portugal saw large-scale rallies on Saturday, with tens of thousands of people gathering in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and other cities to demand more affordable housing and measures to tackle the rising cost of living.
Police said demonstrators set up dozens of tents in Lisbon’s central square and displayed banners demanding legislation to “ban vulture real estate funds”. Protesters accused such funds of contributing to property speculation and chanted slogans including “Down with speculation” and “We want housing and jobs”.
Several European leaders condemned the violence and promised action against those involved in the unrest. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticised Saturday’s clashes in a social media post, stressing that the right to demonstrate did not justify setting cities on fire.
Meloni described those who used the protests to cause disorder, attack security personnel and disrupt entire cities as thugs. She called for a united rejection of such violence, saying that any hesitation could be interpreted as justification and that remaining silent was unacceptable. (with media inputs)