Large-scale protests in France against public education conditions and high living costs are spreading to neighboring European countries, including Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
In Barcelona, Spain, protesters set fire to trash bins and looted stores around the central Catalonia Square, leading to clashes with police. Local authorities reported the arrest of 128 individuals on charges of vandalism and theft, with over half of those detained, 73, being minors.
In Italy, major cities such as Rome, Milan, Turin, and Florence have seen a series of demonstrations. In Rome, some protesters clashed with police and even entered the ancient Colosseum. In Milan, where 1,400 military and police personnel were deployed, no incidents of looting similar to those reported last weekend at luxury stores were observed.
In Brussels, Belgium's capital, around 400 protesters took to the streets, resulting in sporadic clashes with police, leading to the arrest of nine individuals.
Across Europe, mass protests that begin in one country often trigger similar movements in neighboring nations, a phenomenon known as 'domino effect.' This pattern was evident during the 'Yellow Vest' protests in France in 2018, which inspired similar demonstrations in major cities like Brussels, The Hague, and Amsterdam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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