In France, historic town hall set on fire and 1,200 detained: in Italy — at least 60 injured
Mass protests against the high cost of living in France and Italy on October 17 escalated into clashes with police, arson, and looting of stores. In France, around 1,200 people were detained, and the historic town hall of Limoges was nearly destroyed by fire. In Italy, unrest engulfed the centers of Milan, Bologna, and Turin. In Milan, protesters built burning barricades near the famous Duomo cathedral, and in Bologna dozens of law enforcement officers were injured.
Protests in the two countries took place on the same day and were driven by similar social issues: rising cost of living, dissatisfaction with wages, fuel expenses, and the state of public services.
However, these were separate national actions. There is no evidence that the unrest in France and Italy was coordinated from a single center.
1,200 detained in France: hundreds of police and protesters involved in clashes
On Saturday, October 17, mass demonstrations against the rising cost of living, social injustice, and deteriorating quality of public services took place across France.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, about 550,000 people took part in the actions. Organizers estimated the number of participants significantly higher — around 800,000.
The protest movement initially gained strength through the actions of schoolchildren and students dissatisfied with the shortage of teachers, the condition of educational institutions, and learning conditions.
Subsequently, unions, workers from various sectors, and supporters of the "yellow vests" movement, which gained widespread recognition during the protests of 2018, joined the actions.
The main demands concerned improving the purchasing power of the population, increasing funding for education and healthcare, and raising wages and pensions.
Most demonstrations were peaceful. However, in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and other cities, separate groups of participants clashed with police.
During the unrest, cars were set on fire, storefronts were smashed, barricades were erected, and administrative buildings were attacked.
Authorities initially reported several hundred arrests. However, by nightfall the number had significantly increased.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that police had detained around 1,200 people. According to his information, 150 police officers and gendarmes were injured as a result of the clashes.
These are preliminary figures that may be adjusted as events are investigated.
Historic Limoges town hall nearly destroyed by fire
One of the most severe consequences of the protests was a fire in the historic town hall of Limoges in southwestern France.
The building was constructed in the 19th century and inaugurated on July 14, 1883. Its architecture was inspired by the Paris city hall.
According to authorities of the Haute-Vienne department, on the evening of October 17 a group of masked individuals broke the building's windows, entered, and set it on fire.
The flames quickly spread to the upper floors and roof.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, the fire destroyed a significant part of the historic structure. The clock tower collapsed, and subsequently parts of the roof fell.
Prefect of the department, Maurice Barat, reported that the roof collapsed onto the lower floors in almost the entire building, except for the western wing. According to him, two-thirds of the facade was also destroyed.
Limoges Mayor Guillaume Guérin called the incident a severe loss to the architectural heritage of the city.
During the attack, municipal employees, local officials, and police officers were inside the building. According to the prefecture, none of them were injured.
On the morning of October 18, the fire was brought under control. Rescuers continued to extinguish remaining sources of ignition.
It is not yet known what part of the building can be restored and how much the reconstruction will cost.
Shops looted in Paris, tourist office set on fire in Lyon
In Paris, demonstrations involved around 110,000 people, according to French authorities.
The most serious clashes occurred in the area of Place de la République and adjacent streets.
Groups of masked individuals broke windows, set trash containers and cars on fire, and attempted to enter stores.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse rioters.
In Lyon, the tourist office building caught fire during clashes. In Bordeaux, shops on one of the central shopping streets were looted, and a resulting fire spread to neighboring premises.
Attacks on municipal buildings in Marseille and attempts to break into administrative buildings in other cities were also reported.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and stated that those responsible for arson, looting, and attacks on government institutions must be held accountable.
Mayors of Paris, Marseille, and Lyon demanded a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the consequences of the unrest and measures to protect their cities.
Meanwhile, representatives of educational organizations and unions emphasized that the actions of rioters should not overshadow the original social demands of peaceful demonstrators.
Unrest in Italy: Milan, protesters occupied Piazza del Duomo
On the same day, mass demonstrations against the high cost of living took place in several Italian cities.
The most serious clashes occurred in Milan, where the Italia in Piazza movement organized a demonstration against rising prices, expensive fuel, inadequate wages, and reduced availability of public services.
According to Rai News, over five thousand people took part in the march.
Many among the demonstrators were young people, schoolchildren, and students. Some participants also protested against increased military spending, demanding more funds be directed to support families.
Initially the event was relatively calm, but later separate groups began throwing stones, bottles, and pyrotechnic devices at police.
Clashes spread to central streets of Milan.
Particularly tense situation developed on Piazza del Duomo in front of the famous Gothic cathedral.
Rioters built barricades from metal fences and street furniture, then set them on fire.
According to Italian media reports, police units were forced to retreat under a hail of objects thrown by rioters.
Later, additional police forces arrived at the square.
Shops closed, tourists left central Milan
The unrest affected the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II — a historic shopping arcade next to Milan Cathedral.
Groups of masked individuals attempted to enter shops, damaged shop windows, and clashed with law enforcement.
Store employees closed entrances, and tourists tried to leave the central part of the city.
During the clashes, the Duomo metro station was temporarily closed.
According to ANSA, about 50 rioters were taken to the police station. Almost half of them were minors.
Arrest figures are preliminary: being taken to the police station does not mean all these people have been officially charged.
Injuries among police officers and demonstrators were also reported.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence. She stressed that holding peaceful demonstrations is a legitimate right of citizens, but attacks on police and destruction of urban infrastructure are unacceptable.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala also condemned the unrest, while acknowledging the significance of the social issues that brought people to the streets.
36 law enforcement officers injured in Bologna, clashes also in Turin
Serious incidents were reported in Bologna as well.
There, clashes unfolded near the central railway station, on Piazza Medaglie d'Oro.
Groups of young people threw stones, bottles, metal barriers, and other objects at police.
Law enforcement used water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters.
According to ANSA citing police, 36 law enforcement officers were injured or suffered bruises as a result of clashes.
Four minors were arrested on suspicion of resisting public officials with aggravating circumstances. Seven more received official reports for possible offenses.
In Turin, during a protest against high prices, clashes with police also occurred.
A group of young people entered the Feltrinelli bookstore near Porta Nuova station and scattered books. According to Rai News, police stopped 12 people, including ten minors.
Thus, the Italian unrest was not limited to Milan, although the most extensive clashes took place there.
Why protests in France and Italy happened simultaneously
The main similarity between the demonstrations in the two countries lies in their social demands.
Both French and Italian protesters spoke out against the high cost of living, expensive fuel, insufficient incomes, and problems in education and healthcare.
A noticeable role in the protests was played by young people dissatisfied with learning conditions and prospects for independent life.
However, the organization of the movements differed.
In France, mass mobilization grew out of actions by schoolchildren and students, later joined by unions and other public groups.
In Italy, the actions were held under the slogans of the Italia in Piazza movement, which brought together various categories of citizens dissatisfied with rising daily expenses.
There is no confirmation that the protests in these countries were coordinated under a single leadership.
Therefore, the events are more correctly viewed as separate national actions occurring amid similar economic and social problems.
It is important not to identify all participants of the demonstrations with those involved in arson and attacks on police.
In France, hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets with peaceful demands. In Italy, many participants similarly did not take part in clashes.
The main damage was caused during violent episodes, when separate groups moved from demonstrations to attacks on law enforcement, looting of shops, and arson.
What happens next after the mass unrest
In France, authorities continue to assess the consequences of destruction, investigate attacks on government institutions, and identify those involved in arson and looting.
Special attention is being paid to Limoges, where a fire caused severe damage to one of the city's main historic buildings.
The government has also faced questions about the police's readiness for such large-scale actions and their ability to prevent violence in major cities.
In Italy, the circumstances of the clashes in Milan, Bologna, and Turin are still being established. Police are examining the actions of those detained, and local authorities are assessing damage to urban infrastructure and commercial properties.
It is not yet known whether the events of October 17 will lead to new nationwide demonstrations or specific government decisions regarding the social demands of participants.
However, the consequences have already proven significant: in France, around 1,200 people arrested, 150 injured law enforcement officers, and a severely damaged historic town hall. In Italy — clashes in several major cities at once, dozens of arrests, and damaged shops.
The events showed how quickly protests against the cost of living can escalate into large-scale unrest when groups prone to violence join peaceful participants.
Meanwhile, the main social questions that brought people to the streets remain open: accessibility of education and healthcare, the purchasing power of wages, and the ability of families to cope with daily expenses.
Sources: Le Monde — aftermath of protests in France on October 18, AFP / TV5MONDE — fire at historic Limoges town hall, Euronews — town hall destruction and mass protests, Reuters — clashes in Milan and Bologna, Rai News — unrest in Milan, Bologna, and Turin, ANSA — arrests and injuries in Bologna.