“European Autumn” scatters leaves of anger... burning streets in several capitals and a curfew in France

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European autumn is no longer just a season of falling leaves; Many streets in the Old Continent have turned into areas of protest and confrontation, with the escalation of popular anger over the high costs of living, the decline in public services, and the difficulty of securing housing. After renewed movements in France, Italy, Belgium and Portugal two days ago, amid scenes of smoke, fires and clashes with security forces, the repercussions of the “European Autumn” are expanding with mounting pressure on governments to contain a wave of anger fueled by the cost of living and the housing and energy crisis, at a time when the authorities have begun to tighten their security measures, amid fears that the unrest will spread to new cities.

In France, the authorities moved to impose security restrictions and curfews in specific areas, following nights of unrest and acts of vandalism. While the government seeks to restore calm, calls for protest are still in place, an indication that the security measures have not ended the causes of anger, and that the confrontation may be renewed in the coming days, while news is circulating about a new wave of protests on October 24th.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornu announced that France will impose a new curfew today, Tuesday, in areas where the situation requires it, after a first night in which a partial curfew was implemented in major cities, including the capital, Paris.

As for Italy, developments have taken a more stringent turn, with preparations to deploy 500 soldiers to enhance security in Milan, after riots and looting that targeted stores. This step reveals the extent of official concern about repeated attacks on property, and the transformation of some movements from street protests into confrontations with the authorities.

In Belgium, areas of Brussels and Liège witnessed tensions, property damage, and arrests, while movements related to education and public services continued. On the other hand, the housing crisis and rising rents in Spain and Portugal remain among the most prominent issues that mobilize young people, unions, and social groups.

Not all of these movements are similar in their motives or methods. Some are peaceful and focus on economic and social demands, while other areas have witnessed acts of violence and vandalism. But the common denominator between them is the growing feeling of difficulty bearing the costs of life, and the decline in confidence in the ability of government policies to provide tangible solutions.

The energy crisis further complicates the scene, with pressures facing European markets and rising fuel costs, which threatens to expand the circle of those affected by high prices. At the same time, political forces fear that the protests will turn into a pressure factor on governments as electoral elections approach.

Between the curfew, the deployment of security forces, and the continued calls for demonstrations, Europe is entering a delicate phase in which living demands intersect with the challenges of security and political stability. The question remains: Will governments succeed in containing anger through economic and social solutions, or is the “European fall” a candidate for further escalation?

It is noteworthy that France witnessed the largest movements, as the Ministry of the Interior announced the participation of more than 550,000 demonstrators in the protests on Saturday, October 17, while organizers estimated the number at about 800,000 people. The marches extended to about 140 cities outside Paris, according to media reports that quoted official statements, in protest against the rise in prices and the decline in public services and school conditions.

In Paris, some gatherings turned into violent confrontations, after protesters smashed storefronts and set fire to barriers, while police used tear gas and water cannons. The unrest was not limited to the capital, but extended to Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and other cities, in scenes that brought to mind the "yellow vest" protests that have rocked France since 2018.

The damage extended to public buildings, the most prominent of which was the historic Limoges municipal building, in which a fire broke out, while shops and other facilities were vandalized. The French authorities announced the arrest of more than 2,400 people and the injury of nearly a thousand police officers, according to a tally reported by Reuters on October 18. One of the protesters also died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the events in Paris.

President Emmanuel Macron called for calm, stressing that legitimate social demands do not justify violence and sabotage. But the unrest has once again opened the door to questions about the government's ability to contain anger, especially as the presidential elections scheduled for 2027 approach, and the debate escalates over education, purchasing power, and the level of public services.

In Brussels, hundreds of people, mostly young people, came out to protest against rising education costs and reforms they fear will make access to higher education more difficult. The capital witnessed confrontations during which the police used tear gas and water cannons, while some protesters overturned a car, according to a Reuters witness.

The city of Liège also witnessed student movements linked to the costs of study and the difficulty of accessing educational materials.

In Italy, clashes renewed in Milan, Sunday, October 18, after protesters threw stones, smashed storefronts, and set fire to containers near the famous Cathedral Square. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, while more than 60 protesters were taken to police stations for further investigation. The previous day's clashes resulted in the arrest of 28 people in cities in the north of the country, including Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin.

Prime Minister Georgia Meloni condemned the violence and announced a government meeting to discuss how to deal with the developments. But the Italian scene is inseparable from broader questions about the high costs of life and the declining quality of services, demands that were present in the marches that preceded the confrontations, according to Reuters.

In Lisbon, thousands of people protested against the high costs of living, poor wages, and the difficulty of obtaining housing. Protesters set up tents in Rossio Square in the center of the capital, in a symbolic expression of the housing crisis that burdens young people and low-income families. According to official data reported by Agence France-Presse, real estate prices in Portugal rose by about 124% between 2015 and 2024, more than double the increase recorded in Europe during the same period.

Despite the similarity of the slogans, the reasons for the movements differ from one country to another. Education and purchasing power are at the forefront of the French and Belgian scene, while the costs of living and services are prominent in Italy, and the housing and wages crisis in Portugal. Reports do not indicate the existence of a unified leadership that brings together the protesters, but rather to separate movements that intersect when frustrated with the economic and social conditions.

Between falling autumn leaves and city streets witnessing fires and clashes, European governments face a test that goes beyond restoring public order. Security intervention may stop confrontations temporarily, but it does not alone address the crises of housing, education, and purchasing power. The question remains: Will governments succeed in transforming popular anger into tangible reforms, or will demonstrators return to the streets as living pressures continue?