Over 2,000 detained in France as cost-of-living protests sweep Europe
Widespread demonstrations against the cost of living and housing crisis swept Europe over the weekend, resulting in over 2,000 detentions in France.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Europe and internationally over the weekend to protest against rising living costs, housing shortages, and public service cuts.
In France, unions reported that 800,000 people participated in national demonstrations, whereas the Ministry of the Interior placed attendance at 550,000. While most marches were peaceful, outbreaks of arson and looting led to one reported death and more than 2,000 detentions nationwide.
Similar demonstrations over economic pressures and housing rights occurred in Italy, Belgium, Albania, Portugal, and Spain, alongside protests in the United States and India.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 19, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCEuropean cost-of-living protests spark further detentions in France and Belgium