Cost-of-living protests bring hundreds of thousands onto streets in 4 European countries

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across France to protest rising living costs and the decline of public services. On Saturday (17 October), the demonstrations turned violent in several cities, with arson and looting. It was one of the most turbulent days France has seen in decades. Smaller protests were held in Belgium, Italy and Portugal on the same day.

According to France's Interior Ministry, more than 550,000 people took part nationwide. Organisers put the figure at around 800,000. The march followed weeks of student protests that began with demands for smaller class sizes, more funding for teachers and an end to police violence against young people. Fuel price rises and the cost of living were later added to the demands.

The worst damage was in Limoges, in central France. Masked protesters first set fire to a police car outside the town hall, then broke windows and entered the building, where they started a fire. The roof of the 143-year-old building, constructed in 1883, collapsed. Local prefect Maurice Barate told AFP that everything except the west wing had been damaged. He said two-thirds of the exterior was already gone, called it a "catastrophe for heritage" and described the arson as a "deliberate act by hooligans". The building was a listed historic monument.

Besides Limoges, protesters broke into and vandalised the city halls in Marseille and Lille, and set fire to a tourist office in Lyon. AFP reported that dozens of shops were looted in Paris, Marseille, Nice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Limoges, Lille, Toulouse and Strasbourg. Riot police fired tear gas in the capital, and fires could be seen in several places late into the night.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said more than 150 police officers were injured and 1,200 people have been arrested so far. He did not say whether any protesters were hurt. Authorities have also confirmed that one person's hand was torn off in clashes with police.

President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned those he called "sowers of chaos" who disrupted peaceful protests. Late on Saturday he said anyone who attacked police prefectures and businesses or looted town halls would be prosecuted and punished.

Beyond France, protests over the cost of living were also held in Belgium, Italy and Portugal. In Albania, a separate protest took place against government corruption, lack of jobs and poor education standards. Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law at HEC Paris, told Al Jazeera that France is the epicentre of the movement but that it is now spreading beyond its borders. He said Saturday's protests may not be the last and that new hotspots could emerge.