Politics
Wave of protests over housing and living costs spreads across Europe
October 18, 2026 at 07:58 PM
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 8 hours
Housing, living-cost and education grievances have triggered protests and clashes in at least six European countries, from Paris and Milan to Lisbon and Tirana.
- About 2,400 people have been arrested and more than 997 security personnel injured during weeks of French protests, the Interior Ministry said.
- Italian police have detained about 70 people amid Milan clashes, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said demonstrating is a right but "setting our cities ablaze is not."
- Housing protesters set up a tent camp in Lisbon's Rossio Square demanding rent caps, while Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said the government understands public outrage.
- Albanian police fired rubber bullets for the first time as demonstrators demanded the prime minister's resignation; the health ministry reported 65 injured.



