Riots in France spread across Europe and thousands arrested in clashes

From mass arrests in France to troop deployments in Italy, European leaders are taking varied approaches to protests and clashes across the continent. The unrest began in France in mid-September with student protests against school conditions, then spread to other countries, where protests focused on local demands.

President Donald Trump has used the unrest to push his hard-line message on immigration, blaming protests in France on immigration and urging the country to close its borders.

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French President Emmanuel Macron responded, calling the foreign leaders’ comments “unacceptable, even stupid,” and accusing them of exploiting the French crisis for political ends.

Here’s how leaders across Europe are responding.

France vows to make rioters pay as cities assess damage

Protesters occupy the sculptures and ledges of the Monument to the Republic in Paris, France, October 17, 2026. (Aruallan/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images)

Macron promised that those who loot or destroy property will be held accountable and forced to pay for the damage. French authorities deployed 70,000 police officers across the country on Saturday as protests took place in Paris and other cities.

Clashes broke out in several cities, including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse and Nantes. Police used tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons, and the Interior Ministry reported more than 1,300 arrests.

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Most of the protests organized by the unions were peaceful, although clashes later broke out in Paris and several other cities. Furthermore, an assessment by French intelligence services would have identified Antifa and other far-left groups as instigators of certain violence, according to French media.

Italy adopts one of the hardest lines in Europe

Protesters light flares during an anti-government demonstration organized by the Italia in Piazza movement, in Piazza Duomo in Milan, October 17, 2026. (Piero Cruciatti/AFP/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she called “bands of thugs” who used the protests to “sow chaos”, and expressed support for police facing violence in several Italian cities.

Meloni acted quickly after the previous weekend’s looting and clashes, sending 500 additional troops to Milan and approving tougher penalties for minors involved in vandalism. She said destroying and stealing was a crime and the state’s response would be firm.

The moves place Meloni among European leaders taking the most visible steps to deter further violence.

Greek police maintain a visible presence

A protester holds up a flare and shouts slogans as students, teachers and civil servants take part in a rally to protest the high cost of living, saying they face the same issues that sparked violent protests in France over the weekend, and in Greece on October 21, 2026. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images)

Although Greece has seen less unrest than France and other European countries, authorities have been monitoring the risk of clashes as protests by students and teachers spread.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the right to protest must be respected as long as demonstrations remain legal, while condemning violence, looting and occupations.

Police maintained a visible presence during protests earlier this week, which took place without major violence.

Belgium accuses Antifa-linked activists of fueling clashes

A Belgian police officer confronts young demonstrators during clashes near Brussels-South station, October 12, 2026. (Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images)

Protests in Belgium began against education reforms and budget cuts, with young demonstrators taking to the streets of Brussels and Liège. Previous clashes have injured police officers, damaged public spaces and blocked roads. Nearly 200 people were arrested, according to Belgian authorities.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin accused far-left activists, including people linked to Antifa, of infiltrating protests and encouraging young people to commit violence.

Clashes in Albania intensify as protesters demand PM’s departure

In the Albanian capital, Tirana, student-led protests have become a broader challenge to Prime Minister Edi Rama, with demonstrators demanding his resignation and accusing his government of corruption and neglect in schools and public services.

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Police used tear gas and water cannons as more than 2,500 officers were deployed. Rama placed chairs in front of his government headquarters and invited protesters to speak, but they rejected the gesture.

He said his government would address their concerns and warned that those responsible for violence could face criminal and financial consequences.

Spanish regional leaders promise consequences after Barcelona riots

In Spain, the unrest was largely concentrated in Barcelona, ​​unlike in France, where demonstrations and clashes spread to several cities.

Police arrested 128 people in Barcelona after fires, vandalism and looting. Catalonia, the northeastern region of Spain that includes Barcelona, ​​saw its regional president, Salvador Illa, condemn the violence and support the police response.

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Separately, Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni said the city would take legal action against those responsible and warned that parents or guardians could face consequences for damage caused by their children.