French authorities reported a decrease in violence during mass protests over rising living costs, with fewer incidents compared to previous weekends. The protests, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants across Europe, were largely peaceful, despite some scattered unrest.
In Paris, rioters targeted police with Molotov cocktails and fireworks, injuring three officers and setting a car ablaze, but the overall violence was less severe than in previous weeks. In Germany, nationwide protests on Saturday ended with rioters attacking police and looting stores in some cities, including Frankfurt and Cologne.
The protests, which were mostly peaceful during the day, turned violent at night, with several protesters and officers injured and 30 people detained. German officials, including Governor Boris Rhein and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, condemned the violence and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
The protests in France and Germany were part of a larger movement across Europe, with hundreds of thousands of people marching to demand action on issues such as education, housing, and climate protection. In Portugal, riot police were deployed to respond to protests inspired by housing costs.
The situation in France is expected to remain tense, with high schools reopening on Monday and new nationwide protests planned for Tuesday and Thursday.