From mass arrests in France to troop deployments in Italy, European leaders are taking varied approaches to protests and clashes across the continent.The unrest began in France in mid-September with student demonstrations over school conditions, then spread to other countries, where protests have centered on local grievances.President Donald Trump has used the unrest to press his hard-line immigration message, blaming France’s protests on immigration and urging the country to close its borders.PHOTOS SHOW AFTERMATH OF RIOTS AS MASKED GROUPS CLASH WITH POLICE ACROSS FRANCEFrench President Emmanuel Macron pushed back, calling foreign leaders' comments "unacceptable and even stupid" and accusing them of exploiting France’s crisis for political gain.Here’s how leaders across Europe are responding.Demonstrators occupy the sculptures and ledges of the Monument a la Republique in Paris, France, on October 17, 2026.
(Aruallan / Hans Lucas /AFP/Getty Images)Macron has vowed that those who loot or destroy property will be held accountable and made to pay for the damage.French authorities deployed 70,000 police officers nationwide Saturday as demonstrations took place in Paris and other cities.Some clashes broke out in several cities, including Paris, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse and Nantes.
Police used tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons, and the Interior Ministry reported more than 1,300 arrests.VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT FRANCE PROTESTS AS MACRON WARNS UNREST IS BEING EXPLOITEDMost union-organized marches were peaceful, though clashes broke out later in Paris and several other cities.Separately, a French intelligence assessment reportedly identified Antifa and other far-left groups as instigators of some of the violence, according to a French outlet.Demonstrators light flares during an anti-government protest organized by the Italia in Piazza movement, at Piazza Duomo in Milan, on October 17, 2026.
(Piero Cruciatti/AFP/Getty Images)Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned w...