Kathmandu. Protests erupted in several major European cities on Saturday over the rising cost of living, housing crisis, the state of public services and political disputes.

Police have stepped up security in several countries following calls for demonstrations on social media.

According to France’s Interior Ministry, about 320,000 people participated in the demonstrations across the country on Saturday. Of these, 70,000 were in Paris. Organizers claim that five lakh people participated in the country and two lakh people in the capital.

About 70,000 security personnel were deployed across the country in view of the demonstrations. Although most of the demonstrations were peaceful, there were clashes with the police in some places. According to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, 422 people were arrested during the protests.

Demonstrations in more than 30 German cities called for increased investment in public services, control prices and the abolition of compulsory military service. According to organizers, more than 68,000 people attended in 12 cities alone. Police officers were injured in Frankfurt and bars set on fire in Hamburg. Police were also attacked in Bremen, German news agency dpa reported.

In Italy, demonstrations were held in more than 60 cities on Friday over public services and the cost of living. The Union estimates that 1.5 million people attended, but the Interior Ministry said the number of attendees was 255,000. On Saturday, protesters gathered near the Colosseum in Rome.

In Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, more than a thousand people demonstrated demanding a solution to the housing problem. In Lisbon, the protesters were preparing to spend the night in Rocío Square.

Meanwhile, demonstrations in Albania’s capital Tirana demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama continued for the 19th day on Saturday. Police used tear gas and water cannons after petrol bombs and stones were thrown at police during the demonstration.

In Warsaw, Poland, there were demonstrations over the structure and leadership of the Constitutional Tribunal. Meanwhile, in The Hague, Netherlands, police dispersed a crowd that had gathered after a call on social media. Police said they arrested 34 people during the day.

Security was also tightened in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia to prevent possible unrest. Last weekend, 15 police officers were injured and 128 people were arrested in clashes in Barcelona. According to Spanish news agency EFE, police arrested 10 people across the country on suspicion of inciting violence online.