# Europe Protests Spread This Week

> Protests over living costs and housing hit France, Albania, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece this week.
- Title: Europe Protests Spread This Week · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: Protests over living costs and housing hit France, Albania, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece this week. Protests against rising living costs and housing…
- Keywords: france, albania, italy, portugal, spain, greece, protests, living costs, housing affordability, unemployment, energy prices, petrol prices
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/europe-map-shows-countries-hit-by-protests-this-week-12585888
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: france, albania, italy, portugal, spain, greece, protests, living costs, housing affordability, unemployment, energy prices, petrol prices
## Protests Erupt Across Europe
Amid diverse local grievances, protests have erupted across Southern and Western Europe this week, sweeping through France, Albania, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Greece.
## France Faces Weeks of Disorder
France has seen weeks of disorder since mid-September when teachers at Saint-Exupéry High School in Créteil went on strike over staff shortages.
## Economic Pressures in France
Energy and food prices have spiked dramatically, with household budgets squeezed by 21.3 percent higher energy prices and 25.7 percent rise in petrol prices.
## Violent Demonstrations in France
On Saturday, at least 550,000 people took the streets across France, with 1,800 arrests and over 500 police officers injured.
## Albania's Anti-Government Riots
Albania entered its fifth day of anti-government riots after students joined a movement demanding Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation.
## Belgium's Anti-Fascist Protests
Between 500 and 600 demonstrators gathered in Brussels, where some clashed with armed police and set fire to vehicles and construction equipment.
## Italy's Violent Clashes
Protesters clashed with police in Milan, looted stores and set property on fire over demands for better living conditions.
## Portugal's Housing Crisis
Portugal faces one of Europe's worst housing affordability crises with house prices up 130 percent since 2013 and new lease rents up 10.2 percent.
## Spain's Housing Protests
Hundreds occupied Madrid's Puerta del Sol square in protest after the eviction and death of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal.
## Greece's Workplace Safety Concerns
Refinery workers gathered outside Motor Oil over workplace safety after two employees died in an explosion during maintenance operations.
## Trump and Vance Comment
President Trump blamed French protests on immigration and urged France to close borders, while Vice President JD Vance called the burning of a 143-year-old building 'import[ing] the third world.'
## What Happens Next
French officials blame 'extremely violent, radical far-left groups' for stoking violence, while governments in Belgium and Albania warn of escalating unrest.
## Key takeaway

Protests against rising living costs and housing affordability erupted across six European countries this week.