Protests erupt in France and Germany amid education and cost concerns

Protests erupted across France and Germany during the Halloween weekend, with demonstrations marking the third consecutive weekend of unrest in France and violent clashes in Germany.

In France, the demonstrations began last month with high school students protesting teacher shortages, neglected school buildings, and the university admissions system. The movement expanded as labor unions and others joined with additional demands.

French authorities estimated 320,000 protesters participated nationwide on Saturday, down from 550,000 on October 17 and 410,000 on October 24. Organizers reported higher numbers, though these could not be confirmed at the time of publishing.

Protests in France remained largely peaceful along the Boulevards des Maréchaux, with techno music playing and trick-or-treating for Halloween. However, unrest broke out near Porte de Charenton, where protesters launched glass bottles and fireworks, and police used stun grenades and tear gas.

In Germany, masked rioters looted stores in Frankfurt as thousands of protesters demanded lower living costs and better education. The protests were organized by the campaign group “Gen Z regelt” and took place across 34 cities, including Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

In Frankfurt, demonstrators clashed with police, throwing stones, fireworks, and petrol bombs. Police deployed water cannons and pepper spray as several stores, including a gun store, were looted and damaged. A suspect was arrested, and two weapons were seized.

Frankfurt police urged uninvolved individuals to avoid or leave the city center area after windows of several shops were smashed and Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency forces. Barricades were set on fire in Hamburg, while scuffles also broke out in Berlin and Cologne.