French protest violence eases while scattered riots hit Germany ahead of school return
Summary
French authorities said weekend protests over rising living costs were less violent than previous demonstrations, though police are bracing for more unrest as schools reopen and a general strike looms. In Germany, peaceful marches over affordability turned violent in several cities, leaving more than 100 officers injured and dozens detained.
Key Points
- French police reported fewer arrests and less damage than in earlier protest weekends, even as some rioters attacked officers in Paris.
- Authorities expect more tensions in France when high schools reopen and ahead of Thursday’s strike by students and labor unions.
- In Germany, mostly peaceful demonstrations over living costs turned violent in Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin, with more than 100 police officers injured.
- Portugal also saw housing protests, where riot police removed overnight demonstrators from a square in Lisbon.
