ALMOST entire Europe witnessed worst riots in recent years last week, ringing alarm bells for government and residents. Violent clashes spread across England, France, Albania, Italy, Portugal and Belgium on 17 October 2026, as demonstrations over rising living costs, declining public services, housing affordability and education standards escalated into confrontation with police and arson, looting and attacks on public buildings. Worst hit was Paris which saw normal life completely paralyzed and enormous damage to government buildings and private property. One could see hundreds of burnt vehicles everywhere. Riots seemed to be well-coordinated and planned as the turnout of public was massive and so seemed to be their agenda, basically driven by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis, soaring housing costs, failing public services and student grievances, which escalated into clashes with police, arson and looting. High inflation, surging food and fuel costs—exacerbated by geopolitical disruptions like the conflict affecting energy supplies—have strained household budgets. In France, one in three persons reportedly ends up each month with their bank account overdrawn. The protests were triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home after an investment fund hiked her rent by 230%. She later died in hospital. Protesters called for rent freezes, halting the evictions of vulnerable people and the regulation of short-term rentals.

Similar pleas were made across the Iberian border in Portugal, when hundreds gathered in central Lisbon. Portuguese housing prices more than doubled between 2015........

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