Police clash with Paris protesters as demonstrations grip Europe

On October 31, 2026, violent protests erupted across Europe, particularly in France and Germany, with 70,000 police deployed in Paris to maintain order. In Berlin, around 3,500 protesters clashed with authorities, while in Paris, demonstrations turned violent as protesters hurled petrol bombs at police and looted stores. The protests, driven by youth across multiple countries including France, Germany, Portugal, and Albania, were sparked by rising living costs, underfunding of schools, and cuts to social services. These events follow weeks of escalating tensions and widespread unrest, raising concerns that the cycle of violence could overshadow the core issues driving the protests.