News about incomes

Mass protests in Portugal, Italy, France and Belgium targeted falling living standards, high housing and education costs and pressure on incomes, and some demonstrations turned violent. In France, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than half a million people took part, and police arrested about 400 people after vandalism and looting, while the CGT counted around 800,000 participants. In Portugal, tens of thousands marched in Lisbon demanding higher wages, better pensions and action on living costs, with inflation at 3.6% in September 2026. In Italy, a Milan protest against war and living costs turned violent, leaving around 50 people detained and two police officers injured, and CGIL announced a general strike for November 20. In Brussels, several hundred mostly young people protested rising education costs and planned reforms, and police used tear gas and water cannons.