Chaos and looting roiled major cities as Europeans poured into the streets to protest rising living costs
Protests spread across Europe
People gathered in multiple European cities and capitals this weekend to oppose the high cost of living. The demonstrations included concerns about energy prices, housing and education costs.
Housing pressure in Portugal
In Lisbon, demonstrators took to the streets on October 17 over the cost-of-living crisis, low wages and unaffordable housing. About 12.7% of Portugal’s population lives in overcrowded households.
Earlier in the week, police removed a tent camp in central Porto. Activists had established it in Praça D. João I to draw attention to rising housing costs.
Turnout and rising home prices
Protests were held in other cities in northern Italy. Rai News, Italy’s public broadcaster, reported police estimates of about 5,000 participants in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia and 800 in Bergamo.
Milan has also seen housing prices rise. Residential asking prices there were 49% higher in September than in 2018, according to property portal Immobiliare.it.
Key points
- Demonstrations over living costs took place across several European cities this weekend.
- Some protests in Belgium and Milan turned violent, with clashes reported.
- A tent camp in Porto had been set up to highlight rising housing costs.
- Milan residential asking prices were 49% higher in September than in 2018.