Mass demonstrations over public services, education and living costs turned violent in several French cities on Oct. 17, as hundreds of thousands joined rallies against government policies. Protests in Belgium, Italy and Portugal focused on budget measures, education costs and housing, while student-led demonstrations in Albania demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
France recorded the largest mobilization. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez estimated that 550,000 people took part in 110 marches nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. The CGT trade union estimated national attendance at 800,000. By Oct. 18, authorities had reported about 1,800 arrests nationwide, including 855 in the Paris region, and more than 500 injured law enforcement personnel. One protester also died after suffering cardiac arrest during demonstrations in Paris.
Why have protests escalated in France?
The demonstrations followed weeks of student protests over school conditions and teacher shortages, alongside broader labor mobilization over living costs and public services. The government has faced pressure to address school staffing gaps.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on Oct. 8 that the government would deploy 3,000 replacement teachers, who had not yet been assigned to classrooms, to schools with the most serious shortages. According to Le Monde, the ministry had identified 114 high schools in critical condition and another 400 with significant staffing needs.
Most marches remained peaceful, but groups of protesters clashed with police and damaged businesses and public buildings. Police fired tear gas during confrontations in Paris. In Marseille, protesters broke into city hall, while demonstrators set fire to the town hall in Limoges. The fire caused extensive damage to the historic building.
France’s historic 153-year-old Limoges town hall was engulfed in flames on October 17, 2026, amid protests over rising living costs. The fire caused extensive damage to the building, leading to the collapse of parts of the historic structure. Masked individuals reportedly set a municipal police car ablaze, smashed the town hall’s windows and entered the building to start a fire. The flames spread to the roof, causing further destruction despite firefighters’ efforts to contain the blaze.
— Mid Day (@mid_day) October 18, 2026
A 17-year-old protester lost his right hand during unrest in Saint-Étienne. TF1 Info, citing police and justice reporters, reported that a grenade thrown by security forces caused the injury; the teenager reportedly told medical staff he had picked up the grenade before it exploded. Authorities opened an investigation and assigned it to the IGPN, the police oversight body.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned attacks on public buildings and businesses and said those responsible would face prosecution. He was scheduled to address the nation on the evening of Oct. 18, as authorities assessed the damage and the government faced pressure to respond to the unrest.
Belgian unions and students oppose budget and education reforms
Belgium has seen demonstrations against proposed budget measures and education reforms. A national strike on Oct. 9 disrupted transport, flights, schools and childcare. Attendance estimates for the demonstration varied significantly, from 30,000 according to police figures to 50,000 according to the ABVV union. Meanwhile, the General Federation of Belgian Labour (ABVV) warned that a general strike could follow during the week of Nov. 23 if the government crosses its stated red lines in the October budget negotiations. Authorities initially reported 21 detentions, including 13 minors.
The dispute centers on proposals affecting workers’ purchasing power and social protections. Unions have opposed changes to wage indexation, annualized working hours and a possible increase in value-added tax, alongside pension and unemployment-benefit reforms. These remain proposals under negotiation, not enacted measures.
Students also demonstrated in Brussels and Liège on Oct. 17 over rising education costs and reforms they fear could restrict access to higher education. In Brussels, police used tear gas and water cannons after some demonstrators overturned a car.
Italy and Portugal face pressure over household costs and public services
In Italy, student and youth demonstrations addressed living costs, energy and fuel bills, low wages, public services and opposition to wars. Protesters used the slogan “more money for families, less for wars.” In Milan, the march descended into looting and fires, while clashes in Bologna led to seven arrests.
Rising prices have added to pressure on Italian household budgets. The country’s harmonized index of consumer prices, which allows comparison across the European Union, rose 4.2% year over year in September, up from 3.2% in August, according to Italy’s national statistics agency, Istat. The final September figure was slightly higher than the agency’s preliminary estimate of 4.1%.
In Portugal, the Trade Union Confederation (CGTP) organized marches on Oct. 17 in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra to demand higher wages, better pensions and stronger public services. The union also criticized the cost of living and housing affordability. CGTP described turnout as “many tens of thousands”; police did not publish a crowd estimate.
Housing costs remain a central concern. Portuguese house prices have more than doubled since 2017, intensifying pressure on households as wages struggle to keep pace.
Why are Albanian students demanding Rama’s resignation?
In Albania, student-led demonstrations entered their fifth day on Oct. 17, with protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Their grievances include alleged corruption, unemployment and concerns about education standards and costs. Demonstrators threw rocks and set fire to government buildings and banks. Police appeared to fire rubber bullets at crowds outside the education ministry.
Police reported 167 arrests and 132 injured officers, while media outlets cited a figure of at least 1,067 arrests. Police chief Skender Hita also said seven officers had been suspended over alleged excessive force. Separately, 388 people reportedly faced criminal charges.
The unrest follows earlier controversy over a luxury coastal development backed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. Villagers have alleged that land was wrongfully sold for the project.
On Oct. 18, Rama rejected calls to step down, arguing that the demonstrations threatened Albania’s progress toward European Union membership rather than his government. He blamed unspecified foreign interests for the unrest. His Socialist Party won a fourth term in 2025, and he has reiterated his goal of bringing Albania into the EU by 2030. Police said 388 people had been charged with criminal offenses during the demonstrations, as protests continued to challenge the government.