Mass demonstrations over cost of living, public services and fiscal austerity erupted on the 17th across France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and other European countries. In France protests were nationwide — including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Bordeaux and Strasbourg — and organisers estimated up to 800,000 participants (government estimate ~550,000). Demonstrations in France and Italy turned violent in some cities, with arson, looting and damage to public facilities; a Lyon tourist office bra

Mass demonstrations over cost of living, public services and fiscal austerity erupted on the 17th across France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and other European countries. In France protests were nationwide — including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Bordeaux and Strasbourg — and organisers estimated up to 800,000 participants (government estimate ~550,000). Demonstrations in France and Italy turned violent in some cities, with arson, looting and damage to public facilities; a Lyon tourist office branch was set on fire and looted, and municipal buildings in Marseille and Lille were breached and damaged. Interior Minister Nunez said on social media preliminary counts showed more than 2,000 people arrested nationwide, over 600 police, gendarmes and firefighters injured, and hundreds of businesses sustaining significant property damage.