"Life is too expensive!" Huge protests in Italy and Portugal

Clashes during a demonstration in Italy. Riots in the center of Milan

In Milan, there were violent clashes between protestors and the police. The most serious incidents took place on Saturday in the area of ​​the Cathedral Square in Milan. After disbanding the procession near Piazza Cordusio, several hundred participants were to divide into smaller groups and gather in front of the cathedral.

According to ANSA reports, the police used tear gas and repelled the protesters as barriers, stones and firecrackers were thrown at them. The demonstrators also allegedly damaged and looted a Carabinieri car and destroyed several police vehicles.

Makeshift barricades were created in the city center. A pile composed of, among others, from tables in restaurants. The fire was extinguished using a water cannon.

The Italian agency reported that some people were detained and identified in connection with the riots. According to information published by ANSA, at least four officers and 20 protest participants were injured. Several people were taken to hospital.

The damage included: public transport stops and building windows. ANSA also reported that shops had been looted.

Clashes also broke out in front of the Bologna railway station. According to ANSA, masked young people threw stones and other objects at the services. The police used water cannons and tear gas. The protest moved from the square in front of the station towards nearby streets.

In Turin, during a demonstration against the rising cost of living, tensions broke out, including among the march participants themselves. The organizers allegedly appealed to some young people to remove their hoods and not cover their faces. Bottles were thrown at the police.

Meloni criticizes the demonstrations

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media that the right to manifest views does not mean consent to the "ravage of cities." She called on the opposition to clearly condemn the violence.

Any restraint towards street violence becomes its justification. Silence is unacceptable, said the head of the Italian government.

The mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, noted that the reasons for the protest are understandable, but attacks on officers and destruction in the city are unjustified.

In Rome, however, a peaceful demonstration was held, organized by the CGIL trade union headquarters, under the banner of work, peace, the environment, social welfare and the constitution. Its leader Maurizio Landini announced a general strike on November 20.

Protests against high prices in Portugal. Thousands of people on the streets

Tens of thousands of people also protested on Saturday in the largest Portuguese cities against the rising cost of living. The demonstrators pointed primarily to the high prices of apartment rentals, food and fuel.

The largest protest took place in the afternoon in the center of Lisbon. It was organized by the largest trade union headquarters in Portugal - CGTP. According to the organizers, several dozen thousand people participated in the demonstration.

"Life is too expensive!" – the participants chanted. The slogans also included calls for salary increases and "fair wages for all."

Smaller demonstrations, involving several thousand people, were also held in Porto, Coimbra and Funchal in Madeira.

In the evening, demonstrators began to pitch tents in Lisbon's Rossio Square and in Porto's John the Good Square. The police said that the protest participants did not receive permission to set up camps in these places.

The protest in Porto has been going on for over a week. On Thursday, officers removed tents from the square occupied by demonstrators. About 40 people were injured during the confrontation with the police.

Participants in Saturday's demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto also demanded an end to violence against protesters.

Over the last year, food and fuel prices in Portugal have increased by an average of 15%. The information provided indicated that the main cause was the crisis in the Middle East.

By over 10 percent Apartment rental prices have also increased. The highest rates apply in Lisbon and Porto. The average price of renting a square meter of an apartment in these cities is between 18 and 25 euros.