Simultaneous protests have swept across Europe. The various political demonstrations have been collectively dubbed 'Gen Z protests' due to the high turn out of younger people and the focus on issues that disproportionately affect younger people.

Demonstrations took place in Portugal, Poland, France and Germany on Saturday (October 31), while Spain, Albania, Italy and Serbia have all also recently seen large-scale protests. 

In France, protesters clashed with riot police in several major cities. Protests have continued since October 17, driven by complaints of an under-resourced education system, high cost of living, and an unpopular government. 550,000 people took to the streets in cities across France on that first day of protests, according to the interior ministry. 

The marches have brought together students, trade unions and Yellow Vest protesters against President Emmanuel Macron's government.

In Germany, campaign group 'Gen Z regelt' – 'Gen Z takes charge' in German – organised protests in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The group says it opposes compulsory military service and wants more investment in education. They are also demanding relief from rising living costs.

Hooded rioters looted shops in Frankfurt late on Saturday. "In the city centre, windows have been smashed at several shops," the local police said in a social media post. They went on to say "Molotov cocktails are being thrown at the emergency services" and advised bystanders to avoid the city centre.

German authorities say the protests have been largely peaceful but claim extremist groups are looking to exploit the movement. In Hamburg, some barricades were set on fire.

"We are here today to fight for peace and freedom, rather than for war and coercion," said Gen Z regelt spokesperson Lina Friedrich in Berlin on Saturday.

"What matters most to us is better support for the health and education systems. We are against compulsory military service and we are in favour of a fairer distribution of the burden."

Saturday (October 31), Halloween, also saw protests in Portugal and Poland. In Lisbon, a march against the government's new rental bill drew thousands. Campaigners say the bill would worsen Portugal's housing crisis, already one of the worst in Europe. 

Early on Sunday morning (November 1), police moved to clear a tent camp erected in Lisbon's Rossio Square. Hundreds of protesters shielding the camp were dispersed with riot shields and baton charges.

In Poland, protesters marched in support of President Karol Nawrocki, who accused centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk of staging a forced takeover of the country's top court after he suspended the head of the court, an ally of Poland's previous far right government. 

As simultaneous protests continue across Europe, authorities worry that protests in different countries will feed off each other and escalate.

"We all have those images from France in our minds - looting, burning houses, burning police vehicles, and attacks on police officers," said Roman Poseck, interior minister for the state of Hesse in Germany. "France", he said, "must not be held up as a model in this regard".