![Demonstrators sit amid 40 tents set up to protest against housing shortage, soaring rents and low wages on Rossio square in central Lisbon on October 17, 2026. Thousands of people marched on October 17, 2026 through the centre of Lisbon at the call of the CGTP trade union to protest against increasingly difficult living conditions. The slogans and demands focus mainly on higher wages and pensions, as well as protests against the rising cost of housing and fuel. [Filipe Amorim/AFP]](https://newstoday.charm-retirement.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/AFP__20261017__D3LK2MC__v1__HighRes__PortugalPoliticsHousingDemo-1792267175-600x400.jpg "Cost of living protests hit Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France | European Union News")
Cost of living protests hit Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France | European Union News
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans have taken to the streets in separate, uncoordinated demonstrations to protest against the rising cost of living in their countries. Saturday’s wave of unrest in Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal has put pressure on governments across the European Union. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list France experienced one…