The Guardian reports:

The angry protests that have convulsed Spain and France in recent weeks have spilled over to Italy and Portugal, with rioters clashing with police and setting property on fire in Milan, and a tent encampment springing up in Lisbon over the weekend.

A march in central Milan on Saturday to protest against rising living costs began peacefully but ended with masked rioters throwing stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and setting fire to barricades made from bar tables.

Police used water cannon and teargas to disperse the crowds, and images of the aftermath showed a severely damaged carabinieri car.

At least two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including many minors, were detained, the LaPresse news agency reported.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said that while demonstrating was a right, “setting our cities ablaze is not”. In a social media post, she said “hooligans” had exploited the protests “to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and to hold entire cities hostage”.

Milan’s centre-left mayor, Giuseppe Sala, said that while “the reasons for the protests were understandable, the violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable”.

In Lisbon, a tent camp reminiscent of the one established in Madrid three weeks ago was set up by protesters demanding action to tackle the housing crisis and living costs. [Continue reading…]