Published on 19/10/2026 - 6:20 GMT+2•Updated 10:23

Over the weekend large crowds gathered in cities across Europe to demonstrate against climbing daily expenses, costly housing, modest pay levels and mounting strains on public services. Although the specific complaints differed by nation, the events point to widespread irritation with household finances.

In France hundreds of thousands joined marches that included students and various groups voicing concerns over living expenses and public services. Many events stayed peaceful yet President Emmanuel Macron promised to pursue those who aimed to undermine the Republic after some protests turned to looting and disorder in major cities damaging around 1,500 shops and stores.

The expense for businesses will reach several hundreds of millions of euros according to Alexandre Bompard president of the Retail and Trade Federation who spoke to LCI television and noted that precise totals remain unavailable.

Limoges city hall was set ablaze along with the well-known tourist office on Place Bellecour in Lyon. Vandals entered town halls in Marseille Lille and Angers while the prefect residence in Bordeaux was damaged.

Protesting remains a right and anger must be acknowledged yet no dispute justifies harm to public property said Guillaume Guérin mayor of Limoges who described the violence as unacceptable.

In Belgium officers confronted protesters in Brussels and Liège amid cost-of-living marches. High-school students had also marched in prior weeks against higher education fees joining peers in France who protested school conditions and teacher shortages.

Belgian interior minister Bernard Quintin stated on Saturday that the events had moved beyond protest into outright violence echoing comments from the mayor of Limoges and other officials.

In Portugal unions and housing advocates demanded higher wages improved pensions stronger public services and measures to ease housing costs. Organizers cited climbing rents mortgage payments and routine expenses as heavy burdens on household budgets.

Italy witnessed marches over economic conditions and price increases. Clashes in Milan Turin and Bologna resulted in injuries while dozens faced detention in Milan.

Why are Europeans angry?

Increases in food housing and energy prices have made it harder for many households to stretch their incomes. Even as inflation eases prices stay elevated compared with earlier levels reducing budget flexibility.

Housing stands out as a major issue for renters and younger residents in numerous cities. Low-income workers feel the squeeze from basic needs while worries about education and other public services have heightened frustration in several nations.

Eurostat figures reviewed by Euronews Business indicate that EU food and non-alcoholic drink prices climbed 34 percent from August 2021 to August 2026. The quantity of food purchasable with a gross monthly minimum wage dropped 6 percent in Malta 5 percent in Spain and 4 percent in France though it rose in most other studied countries. The analysis omits taxes rent and additional household costs so it does not fully reflect the living-cost pressure.

The protests do not form one unified Europe-wide campaign and their goals vary yet they underscore the strain on household budgets and the difficulty of keeping wages aligned with essential costs.