Protests in France and Italy escalate with fires and looting
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets over high costs and problems with public services.
There is news on this story (Saturday, 17 October 2026, 22:56): Campanile of Limoges town hall collapses after fire
Follow-up to: French day of protest leads to clashes with police Saturday, 17 October 2026, 15:57
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In France and Italy, large protests on Saturday descended into clashes, fires and looting. The demonstrations focused, among other things, on the high cost of living and the state of public services.
In France, large numbers of people gathered in several cities, according to news agency AP. The demonstrators protested, among other things, against rising living costs and problems in education. Protesters and police clashed in several places.
President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and said there was no place for people who cause chaos. According to AP, the French government is under pressure from the combination of social discontent, violence during protests and criticism of police conduct.
There were demonstrations in Italy on Saturday as well. In central Milan, clashes with police broke out, shops were looted and fires were started. The mayor of Milan said the reasons for the protest were understandable, but condemned the violence and damage.
The events in both countries coincided, but did not constitute a single joint protest with one organisation. In France, public reporting said the emphasis was on living costs and education; in Italy, the protests were likewise about social and economic discontent.
The protests are relevant to the Netherlands because France and Italy are important European partners, and because the tensions touch on the debate about purchasing power, public services and the limits of the right to protest. It is still too early to say whether the protests will lead to new policies or lasting political consequences.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Large demonstrations took place in France and Italy.
- The protests were about, among other things, the cost of living and public services.
- There were clashes, fires or looting in parts of both countries.
- Macron called for calm in France.
Left
Arguments The protests are an expression of real social problems: people feel that incomes, education and public services are deteriorating. Violence must be rejected, but it must not overshadow the causes of the mobilisation.
Values Purchasing power, social equality and strong public services.
Consequences Without social measures, discontent may return and spread further.
Centre
Arguments The government must protect the right to protest while also protecting citizens, shops and emergency services. An independent assessment of police conduct and targeted support for households can coexist.
Values The rule of law, proportionality and governmental responsibility.
Consequences A balanced response can limit escalation without criminalising legitimate protest.
Right
Arguments Looting and arson undermine support for the original grievances and justify a firm response from the police and the justice system.
Values Security, property rights and order.
Consequences Swift prosecution and visible enforcement can prevent a recurrence, but without addressing purchasing-power problems, the underlying causes will remain.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The protests, their causes and the escalation in France and Milan have been confirmed by AP and Reuters-related reporting. The precise scale and political consequences remain uncertain and have not been presented as established facts.
- confirmed There were major protests in France on 17 October over the cost of living and public services. — AP and Reuters-related reporting describe the protests and their causes. source
- confirmed Macron called for calm and condemned people who cause chaos. — This is mentioned in the AP report. source
- confirmed There were clashes, looting and fires in Milan. — AP describes these events in central Milan. source
Editor's note
The new angle is the simultaneous escalation in France and Milan. Figures for demonstrators and arrests vary by source and have therefore not been reproduced exactly.Sources
- Clashes, fires and looting break out as protesters rally across France — Associated Press
- Rioters loot stores, set fires in central Milan during cost-of-living protest — Associated Press
- French protesters clash with police during nationwide demonstrations — Reuters via MarketScreener
The story so far
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 07:03 France prepares for nationwide day of protest
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 12:55 Police report forty arrests during protest day in Paris
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 15:57 French day of protest leads to clashes with police
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 17:21 Marseille mayor announces police reinforcements after city hall stormed
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 20:54 Lecornu defends police after violence during French day of protest
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 21:55 Town hall set alight during French protests
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 22:54 Protests in France and Italy escalate with fires and looting (this article)
- Saturday, 17 October 2026, 22:56 Campanile of Limoges town hall collapses after fire
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „frankrijk italië”
- Het Parool — „frankrijk italië”
- Trouw — „frankrijk italië”