Major European countries, including France and Germany, are bracing for anti-government protests over public investment shortages and soaring inflation during the weekend coinciding with Halloween on October 31.

In Italy, similar protests began on Friday, October 30 (local time).

High school and university students, as well as workers, staged demonstrations in some 50 cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin.

DPA reported that the number of protesters is estimated to exceed 100,000.

The USB, a major trade union that led a general strike alongside the protests, claimed that at least 1 million people participated as of noon that day, while police did not release an official tally.

While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government deployed a massive security force, the protests proceeded largely more peacefully than last week.

Sporadic clashes between police and protesters broke out in Turin.

Demonstrators are demanding that the government alleviate the cost of living for citizens and expand investment in schools.

They blame the high cost of living on the conservative and far-right coalition government led by Prime Minister Meloni, while also protesting sluggish wage growth and increased defense spending.

Banners reading "Lower weapons, raise wages" and "Oppose a wartime economy" stood out during the protests that day.

In France, a third large-scale weekend protest is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, Halloween, following the spread of student demonstrations.

Student organizations and the Yellow Vests movement have announced their participation in the October 31 protests.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned reporters on October 29 that "the risk of public unrest is extremely high," noting that "violent messages inciting riots" on the night of October 31 are circulating among some far-left groups online.

In response, the French government plans to deploy a police force of 70,000, similar to the scale deployed last weekend.

Police announced via X (formerly Twitter) that wearing masks or carrying fake weapons in public places could result in fines.

Minister Nuñez stated that store protection measures have been stepped up compared to last weekend, and while protests are permitted, they are not allowed in downtown areas.

In Germany, a social media group called "GenZ Regelt" has emerged and announced it is organizing protests in about 30 cities on October 31.

According to AFP, the protests are led by young people frustrated with political elites ignoring youth concerns, with 150,000 people having registered to participate so far.

The group stated, "We are young people who will no longer stand by and watch as the practice of deciding our future without listening to our voices continues."

They claimed that budget cuts in education, culture, and healthcare "sacrifice us while large corporations continue to rake in profits and billions are poured into rearmament."

Although the group has promised to reject violent protests, police have deployed massive personnel to prepare for contingencies.

Like in France and Italy, luxury boutiques and other stores in Germany are boarding up their windows with wooden panels to guard against looting.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)