Europe braces for continent-wide Halloween protests as cost-of-living anger boils over

Germany, France, Italy, Greece and Spain are among the countries bracing for another weekend of mass protests  over living costs, deteriorating public services and government spending.

After recent riots and looting, the authorities are preparing for possible violence. 

In France:

•  70,000 police officers deployed as Interior Minister Laurent Nunez vows an “extremely firm response to any trouble” amid a “very high ⁠risk” of unrest

•  measures introduced to protect shops are reinforced

•  demonstrations not permitted “in city centers, where there is a risk of public disorder” 

In Germany: 

•  over 160,000 demonstrators expected across 34 cities, including Berlin and Frankfurt, protesting education and social cuts, as well as plans to reintroduce mandatory military service

•  police have cordoned off Berlin's Brandenburg Gate ahead of the rally

In Italy:

•  500 troops deploying alongside police in Milan following recent looting and clashes

•  demonstrations already took place in Rome, Turin and Naples on Friday

•  thousands marched in Rome, where police resorted to water cannons 

Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are also on alert, with shop owners gearing up for chaos and possible looting

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Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN