Protests over living costs and military spending spark clashes in Italy and France

Protests against rising living costs, military expansion, and increased arms spending took place across several Italian cities on Saturday, with clashes reported in Rome, Bologna, and Turin, according to Xinhua and Italian media.

In Rome, demonstrators began an anti-war march from Piazza della Repubblica, but later in the evening, confrontations with police led to the use of water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds, Xinhua reported.

In Bologna, clashes resulted in 17 calls for emergency assistance and six hospitalizations, while in Turin, protesters threw fireworks and bottles at police, who responded with tear gas, according to Corriere della Sera and Xinhua.

Following recent riots and looting, the Italian Interior Minister deployed additional police forces to major cities for these protests. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and emphasized protecting peaceful demonstrators and the public, Xinhua noted.

Meanwhile, in France, the Interior Ministry estimated at least 410,000 people protested against the high cost of living, including 110,000 in Paris. France 24 reported that while the situation in Paris remained largely calm, clashes occurred in other cities after attempts to enter unauthorized areas.