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- October 19, 20265°
- BIST10011,619-0.87%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
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- October 19, 20265°
Unrest grips Europe: France counts the damage as Milan and Tirana burn
France is assessing the damage from its worst rioting in years, with 2,397 arrests and one protester dead, as clashes and looting hit Milan for a second day and Albania’s anti-government protests entered their seventh day.
Ally Daily Editorial DeskUpdated:
A wave of unrest is gripping parts of Europe. France is counting the cost of Saturday’s nationwide rioting, Milan endured a second day of clashes and looting on Sunday, and in Albania anti-government protesters have been on the streets for a week.
Here is where things stand in each country, with videos from the scene.
France: Macron vows tough response
President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address on Sunday evening that the nation felt “anger and shame.” He said peaceful protesters must not be confused with rioters, blamed soaring fuel prices on the war in the Persian Gulf and warned: “Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must repay.” He did not declare a state of emergency.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez offered to resign, but the Élysée refused, saying the security forces needed continuous command. Interior Ministry figures show 2,397 arrests and 997 police officers and gendarmes injured, while about 550,000 people marched nationwide on Saturday.
Scenes from the streets of France
In Paris, officers were seen carrying an unconscious demonstrator away by his arms and legs.
According to BFMTV, citing Paris police, a protester died north of the capital after suffering cardiorespiratory arrest. In the smoke-filled streets, one person in an inflatable costume strolled past burning debris.
French television showed a crowd swarming a police car, forcing officers to retreat. Elsewhere, the spire of Limoges’ 143-year-old town hall collapsed in flames and Lyon’s tourist office was torched.
Sunday was calmer, but police still fired tear gas at Place de la République, and after dark a group tried to force its way into a bar.
In Nice, a shopkeeper defending his store was kicked in the back by a looter.
Looters were also filmed wheeling a motorcycle out of a shop.
One clip shows a group carrying off what was described as a Real Madrid shirt signed by Zinedine Zidane.
Security camera footage shows people scaling a wall into a property at night; it was shared as looting in wealthy neighborhoods, but the location could not be verified.
Italy: Milan hit again
In Milan, hundreds of young people regrouped around Piazza del Duomo on Sunday afternoon. Police used water cannon and tear gas.
Officers moved in on protesters as clashes spread. ANSA reported that 160 people, 80% of them minors, were taken to police headquarters by Sunday evening, with total detentions over the weekend passing 200.
Stores were looted around Via Torino, Cordusio and the Castello area, and a group was filmed attacking a police car.
One shop owner fought back against looters with a stick.
By Monday, 14 officers had been injured and 32 of those detained had been formally arrested, according to ANSA. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a public order meeting, while Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala complained of too few officers on the streets.
Albania: A week of protests
Albania’s protests over corruption, education and unemployment began on Oct. 13. Police in Tirana again deployed water cannon and tear gas.
The Health Ministry says 272 people, including 169 police officers, have been injured, and police have opened cases against 388 people. A fire on Oct. 17 spread from a business next door into the offices of the Supreme Court.
Molotov cocktails were thrown at a police officer and a police station on Sunday night. Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to resign.
What’s next
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is holding a crisis meeting on Monday as Macron heads to the Gulf to secure energy supplies. Meloni’s security meeting and the next steps in Albania’s protests will also be closely watched.
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