World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Halloween protests turn violent in Berlin, Paris and Tirana
Protests over public services and living costs turned violent in several European cities on Halloween, including Berlin, Paris and Tirana.
In Berlin, more than 3,500 people demonstrated, and police said at least 56 people were arrested and 27 officers injured.
Police used water cannons and pepper spray after protesters blocked roads and tram lines and threw flares, fireworks and bottles.
In Paris, a police officer was engulfed in flames after a Molotov cocktail attack, which France’s interior minister called attempted murder.
The demonstrations grew from student protests and reflected concerns about education cuts, high costs and possible conscription in Germany; in Albania, protesters also demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama resign.
A youth group called demonstrations in 34 German cities, and Berlin police warned that people who refused to leave would face water cannons and arrest.
Violent protests took place in Berlin, Paris and Tirana on Halloween, with demonstrators clashing with police and targeting shops.
In Berlin, at least 56 people were arrested and 27 officers were injured.
A police officer in Paris was engulfed in flames after being hit by a Molotov cocktail, which France’s interior minister called an attempted murder.
The protests followed weeks of student demonstrations and reflected grievances including high living costs, spending cuts and poorly maintained schools.
In Albania, protests had merged with demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.
- Who
- Demonstrators and police in Berlin, Paris and Tirana. Many demonstrators were young people.
- What
- Protests over various grievances turned violent, with clashes, arrests and attacks on police and shops.
- When
- Halloween, 31 October 2026.
- Where
- Berlin, Paris and Tirana.
- Why
- Grievances included high living costs, government spending cuts and poorly maintained schools. In Albania, protesters also demanded Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
Protesters
Police and authorities
Grievances
Protesters
Protesters opposed high living costs, spending cuts and poorly maintained schools; some German demonstrators also feared that voluntary military service could lead to conscription.
Police and authorities
Police used water cannons and pepper spray, and officers said people who refused to go home would face water cannons and arrest.
Demonstrations
Protesters
Protesters marched and called for resistance and political change.
Police and authorities
Police confronted demonstrators during violent clashes and made arrests.
Student demonstrations took place across Europe, with protests in France over education funding widening into a broader movement.
A gathering beside Berlin's Brandenburg Gate passed largely peacefully.
A separate Berlin march turned violent, with arrests and injuries reported.
- Berlin arrests
- At least 56 people
- Berlin police injuries
- 27 officers
- German protest calls
- Demonstrations in 34 cities on Saturday
- Paris attack
- A police officer was hit by a Molotov cocktail
- Albania demand
- Protesters called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign
What people are saying
attempted murder
Nobody needs so much luxury, but also, nobody has the right to destroy such stores.
I don't think it's good what happened there, some people just like the violence.