More than 400,000 people take to the streets across France as 70,000 police officers are deployed. Nearly 100 arrests in Barcelona, clashes in Rome and further unrest in Albania, Portugal and Belgium.

A wave of mass demonstrations and violent unrest is sweeping across Europe, spreading beyond France, where protests that began in Paris schools a month ago have escalated into a broader movement of social discontent. France, Spain, Italy, Albania, Portugal and Belgium have all witnessed demonstrations, fuelled by anger over the rising cost of living, economic inequality and political grievances.

On Saturday, 24 October, more than 400,000 people demonstrated across France, with arrests approaching 1,000 and approximately 70,000 police officers deployed nationwide. In Paris, where more than 100,000 protesters filled the streets, clashes broke out with police, while violence, arson attacks and looting were also reported in other cities.

Total chaos in Europe. Now also in Spain. https://t.co/J49ZvEDsQ9

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 25, 2026

The unrest spread to Spain, where approximately 100 people were arrested in Barcelona, more than 30 fires were started in the streets and 14 shops were damaged or looted. In Italy, demonstrations took place in Rome, Milan and Turin, with clashes between protesters and police in the Italian capital, where a group of demonstrators even managed to breach security and enter the Colosseum.

In Albania, fresh clashes erupted in Tirana, where protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. According to reports, security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets, while a fire broke out at the entrance to the Ministry of Environment during the disturbances. Demonstrations were also reported in Belgium, while young people in Portugal have staged protests over economic and political grievances.

European authorities remain on heightened alert for further demonstrations on Sunday, 25 October, as the discontent that began in French classrooms takes on increasingly international dimensions.

Paris: More than 100,000 take to the streets as clashes erupt and hundreds are arrested nationwide

The French capital witnessed the largest demonstration of the day, with approximately 110,000 protesters according to the Interior Ministry, while trade unions put attendance at 250,000. Nationwide, authorities reported 410,000 participants, compared with union estimates of around 800,000.

WATCH: Large crowds marched through Paris today in a second national day of protests against the rising cost of living, as authorities deployed heavy security following last weekend’s riots. The police prefecture put turnout in Paris at about 110,000, while the CGT union claimed around 250,000. Nationwide, the Interior Ministry counted roughly 410,000 protesters, compared with up to 800,000 claimed by the CGT. https://t.co/zaogkGKwyY

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 24, 2026

The march through Paris was marked by confrontations between protesters and police, with demonstrators throwing objects and fireworks. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon, while fires and attempted looting were reported in several areas.

Numerous shops had boarded up their windows as a precaution, while museums remained closed amid fears of violence. Similar scenes unfolded in Marseille, where the authorities had significantly reinforced security measures.

Violence spreads from Bordeaux to Grenoble

Demonstrations extended to dozens of French cities, with varying levels of participation and unrest.

In Bordeaux, more than 15,000 people gathered despite restrictions on demonstrations in the city centre. Groups of protesters clashed with police, erected barricades, set rubbish bins alight and attempted to storm the Chamber of Commerce and Industry building. Authorities reported 44 arrests, three injuries and damage to eight businesses.

Début des hostilités à Bordeaux 🤯 #24octobre #Manif24Octobre https://t.co/MPO9Jp3d7W

— Mame XA (@Mame_Xa17) October 24, 2026

In Nantes, demonstrators threw petrol bombs and fireworks at police officers, resulting in at least 70 arrests, while authorities prevented shops from being looted. In Toulon, 64 people were arrested, including 20 who were placed in police custody.

🔴️️ A Nantes, un policier étrangle un jeune homme et lui frappe la tête contre un mur pendant que son collègue menace d’un tir de LBD des habitants qui protestent Face aux manifestations immenses et pacifiques de ce samedi 24 octobre, le pouvoir macroniste continue de réprimer par la sauvagerie policière.

— L’insoumission (@L_insoumission) October 24, 2026

In Metz, approximately 1,500 people joined a march, while a group of 200 masked individuals caused disturbances, leading to seven arrests, including three minors. In Chambéry, around 1,500 protesters took part in an unauthorised march that temporarily closed a motorway and led to clashes with police.

In Annecy, 20 people were arrested and a gendarme was injured, while banned demonstrations in Vannes and Lorient attracted approximately 1,200 and 1,600 participants respectively. In Lorient, six suspects were arrested carrying sledgehammers, cutting tools and smoke devices.

Marseille ce soir : les policiers pris pour cible sous une pluie de mortiers pendant que des commerces sont visés par des pillages en marge de la manif 🚨 Le 14 juillet avec trois mois d’avance, et le ministre de l’Intérieur regarde le feu d’artifice depuis son canapé https://t.co/NETh7lWWOI

— L’Insécurité en Direct 🇫🇷 (@patriotechrist) October 24, 2026

In Grenoble, approximately 10,300 people participated in two marches. Police said a group of 400 masked protesters caused extensive damage. One shop was looted, while another ten buildings were damaged or targeted in attempted looting. Eight police officers and seven demonstrators were injured.

In Montpellier, around 6,300 people joined a demonstration that was accompanied by objects being thrown, the use of tear gas, eight arrests and injuries to two police officers.

Albania: Fierce clashes in Tirana as government buildings are set alight and protesters demand Rama’s resignation

Serious violence erupted in Tirana, where demonstrations initially organised by school and university students developed into wider anti-government protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

🚨 Footage from today’s protest in Tirana, Albania https://t.co/g0JtlwAEXy

— Tirana Report (@Tirana_Report) October 24, 2026

The demonstrations began on Saturday afternoon outside the Ministry of Education, where protesters called for lower tuition fees, increased state funding for education and action against corruption.

Tensions gradually spread to Skanderbeg Square, the prime minister’s office and other parts of the Albanian capital.

Masked protesters hurled stones, fireworks and petrol bombs at police officers, tore paving slabs from pavements, erected barricades and set rubbish bins on fire.

Fires broke out at the Ministry of Environment and the entrances to the Ministry of Agriculture and Tirana City Hall. Banks, bus stops and other facilities were also damaged.

Albania: Protesters fire streams of firework rockets at riot police in Albania’s capital Tirana. https://t.co/jioU1ez8c6

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 24, 2026

According to Albania’s public broadcaster, one police officer caught fire during the clashes, prompting colleagues to rush to his aid.

Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets, while approximately 2,500 police officers had been deployed across the capital.

Tirana is burning. Students and protesters are back on the streets of Albania, clashing with police and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. What started over a luxury coastal resort has exploded into nationwide anger over corruption, broken education, jobs, and living costs. #albania #Tirana

— TheGenzzzVoice (@genzvoicee) October 24, 2026

The demonstrations reflect mounting frustration over unemployment, corruption, the state of education and government policies, representing one of the most significant challenges facing Rama, who has been in power since 2013.

Italy: Protesters storm the Colosseum as clashes erupt in Rome

In Rome, tensions reached a peak when a group of demonstrators breached the security perimeter around the Colosseum and entered the ancient arena before being removed by the authorities.

Clashes also broke out near Piazza della Repubblica, where officers equipped with shields and batons attempted to hold back demonstrators, deploying a water cannon during the confrontation.

Chaos in Rome. Masked rioters storm the Colosseum, forcing the entrance barriers. "Peaceful protest" they say. Unbelievable. https://t.co/9KROPmUWTe

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 24, 2026

Security was reinforced around the Circus Maximus, Piazza del Popolo and central shopping streets lined with luxury boutiques.

Demonstrations also took place in Milan and Turin, while hundreds of school and university students participated peacefully, distancing themselves from groups responsible for the violence.

Kaotisk utanför Colosseum, Rom under dagen. https://t.co/gxfNfoiDI8

— Existenz.se (@Existenzse) October 25, 2026

Spain: Nearly 100 arrests, dozens of fires and widespread looting in Barcelona

In Barcelona, approximately 100 people were arrested following violent clashes, arson attacks and the looting of shops.

According to Catalonia’s Interior Minister, Núria Parlon, 25% of those arrested were minors. More than 30 fires were started in the streets, while 14 shops were damaged or looted.

⚡️Barcelona: ‼️Cientos de personas atrapadas en El Corte Inglés de Plaza Cataluña por la ✊protestas en el exterior. https://t.co/BAwdUZgQBS

— Electodatos (@electodatos) October 24, 2026

Videos circulating on social media showed customers trapped inside the El Corte Inglés department store after security shutters were lowered to prevent groups of suspected looters from entering.

⚡️🇪🇸 Barcelone : une concentration de jeunes dégénère en émeutes au centre-ville Ce samedi 24 octobre 2026, une concentration de jeunes a tourné à l’affrontement au cœur de Barcelone. Convoquée via les réseaux sociaux sous le slogan « Institut Indignats » (en référence aux mobilisations étudiantes françaises « Lycéens Indignés »), elle a rassemblé plusieurs centaines de personnes, pour la plupart vêtues de noir et parfois encagoulées, sur la place de Catalunya et dans les rues voisines. ⭕️ Rapidement, la situation a dégénéré. Des manifestants ont jeté des pierres et des bouteilles sur les Mossos d’Esquadra, brûlé des conteneurs, des vélos municipaux et des barricades improvisées, et vandalisé le mobilier urbain (abris de bus, feux de signalisation, motos renversées). Des commerces ont été pillés ou endommagés, obligeant plusieurs enseignes, dont El Corte Inglés, à baisser leurs rideaux en urgence. ⭕️ Les forces de l’ordre ont procédé à des charges pour disperser les groupes. Selon les bilans officiels, environ 100 personnes ont été arrêtées, dont une trentaine de mineurs. Le président de la Generalitat, Salvador Illa, a condamné « de façon rotunda » les violences, déclarant que « la violence n’a pas sa place en Catalogne » et que les responsables « paieront ». ⭕️ La mobilisation, non autorisée et largement diffusée en ligne, s’inscrit dans un contexte de tensions sociales plus larges en Europe.

— X⚡️INFOLIVE (@xinfolive) October 24, 2026

On social media, some organisers described the movement as anti-establishment, using the slogan “Institut Indignats”, inspired by the French student movement “Lycées Indignés”.

Portugal: Clashes in Lisbon, arrests and demonstrations over soaring rents and the housing crisis

Thousands of people demonstrated in Lisbon and Porto on Saturday, 24 October, protesting against soaring rents, the rising cost of living and a housing crisis that has hit younger generations particularly hard.

The demonstrations, which began in Porto on 10 October, have since spread to other Portuguese cities, with gatherings also taking place in Coimbra, Aveiro and Braga.

In the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, clashes broke out in Lisbon when heavily equipped police officers, some accompanied by trained dogs, attempted to remove protesters who had erected more than 100 tents in the central Rossio Square.

Police made arrests and injuries were reported. A similar operation was carried out in Porto.

Tensions had already flared on 20 October, when police dismantled protest camps in both cities, making 55 arrests.

Europe on alert for further demonstrations

Following Saturday’s violence, authorities in France and other European countries remain on heightened alert for fresh demonstrations on Sunday, 25 October.

In Paris, the unrest has also overshadowed preparations for the scheduled NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.

Although the demonstrations have been triggered by different grievances in each country, widespread youth participation and mounting frustration over economic and social conditions have emerged as common features of an increasingly international wave of unrest that has extended well beyond France’s borders.