Mass protests over the rising cost-of-living crisis are rocking Germany and Italy as thousands march on the streets on Friday and Saturday.

In Germany, thousands of Gen Z protesters took to the streets in Berlin and more than 30 other German cities on Saturday.

Protesters’ demands include better-funded schools, action on living costs, greater social justice and stronger climate protection.

Demonstrators in Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, and other cities defied a police clampdown.

Similarly, protesters in Italy took to the streets on Friday to protest spiking living costs and the poor state of healthcare and education, among other issues.

Meanwhile, in France, there were demonstrations across cities on Saturday in what appear to be weekly nationwide protests that have seen security agents clash with demonstrators.

Saturday’s protests across France coincided with Halloween, which inspired some protesters to wear masks and costumes, a move French authorities warned against.

Officers fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Paris in the afternoon, compelling protesters to push back vehemently. According to Paris Police, about 70,000 protesters were on the streets on Saturday, a drop from the 110,000 who marched last Saturday.

In Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Rennes, police clashed with protesters amid demonstrations. French authorities estimated the number of protesters in these cities on Saturday at about 320,000, down from 410,000 last week.