Violent riots broke out in German cities following protests over the high cost of living. Police made many arrests as demonstrators looted shops.
Rioters looted stores in central Frankfurt late Saturday. Clashes broke out across German cities over the rising cost of living.
Also, violence occurred in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg. Police used water cannons to stop protesters who threw fireworks and stones.
Thousands attended peaceful marches earlier that day. A group called Gen Z regelt organized these events to support better education.
Meanwhile, the group demanded an end to public spending cuts. They also opposed mandatory military service for young people.
However, the situation turned violent as night fell. Special police units arrived in Frankfurt to handle the riots.
After that, officers reported smashed shop windows and thrown molotov cocktails. People broke into stores and stole various items.
Officials noted that extremists infiltrated the protests. These individuals focused on violence rather than peaceful change.
Next, police in Berlin reported that 27 officers suffered injuries. Officers detained dozens of people during the evening unrest.
Furthermore, authorities in Hamburg saw protesters set barricades on fire. Police made 120 arrests in that city alone.
Then, similar protests happened in France, Italy, and Portugal. Thousands of people marched across Europe to demand economic relief.
In France, over 320,000 people joined demonstrations on Saturday. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds in several cities.
Finally, government leaders called for harsh punishments for looters. They condemned the attacks on emergency workers during the protests.