Protests in France and Germany: Clashes turned violent, but Europe is not on the brink of chaos

Large protests over the cost of living, housing and problems in education took place in France and Germany. Some demonstrations ended in serious clashes with police, but headlines suggesting that Europe is on the brink of chaos paint a much broader picture than the reported events support.

According to France's Interior Ministry, around 320,000 people took part in protests across France on Saturday, including 70,000 in Paris. A total of 296 people were detained. According to reporting by Index.hr and N1, the demonstrations were largely peaceful at first, but clashes later broke out in Paris, Lyon and other cities. Some protesters threw objects and incendiary devices at police officers, and several officers in Paris were caught by flames. Police used tear gas.

In Germany, members of the Gen Z regelt movement took to the streets, calling for greater investment in education, lower living costs and an end to the reintroduction of mandatory registration of young people for military service. According to reports by 24sata and Večernji list, police stopped a demonstration in Frankfurt after some participants threw stones, bottles and pyrotechnics. Several police officers were injured, and police used pepper spray and water cannons. Incidents were also reported in Hamburg and Cologne.

However, as Večernji list reports, most demonstrations across Germany remained largely peaceful. The interior minister of the German state of Hesse confirmed that police officers had been injured in Frankfurt, but also said that the situation was under control.

It is important to distinguish actual acts of violence from the impression that entire countries or the continent are experiencing widespread disorder. Clashes and attacks on police are serious incidents that require a response from the authorities. But the available reports describe violence at specific locations during large demonstrations, not general chaos across Europe.