Germany and France are preparing for possible demonstrations and unrest over the Halloween weekend as a wave of youth-led protests against rising living costs and limited future opportunities continues to spread across Europe.
In Germany, around 150,000 people have registered to participate in demonstrations across nearly 30 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne, on Saturday.
Authorities are planning to deploy thousands of additional police officers nationwide to maintain security. Meanwhile, several luxury jewellery shops and clothing stores have boarded up their windows amid concerns about possible vandalism, looting and violence.
The German demonstrations are being organised by a youth movement known as "GenZ regelt!", meaning "Gen Z has got this!"
Protesters are raising concerns over the high cost of living, deteriorating school facilities, government spending cuts and political decisions that they believe overlook the interests and needs of younger generations.
Similar youth-led movements have emerged in several European countries in recent weeks, with demonstrators expressing frustration over rising prices, declining educational standards and uncertainty about their future prospects.
France prepares for another weekend of unrest
France is also bracing for another round of demonstrations after three consecutive weekends of protests in cities and towns across the country.
Businesses in Paris and other major cities began boarding up their windows on Friday as authorities prepared for possible violence.
Around 70,000 police officers are expected to be deployed nationwide over the weekend. More than 40 metro stations in Paris will also remain closed as part of heightened security arrangements.
Authorities have further announced that protesters will not be allowed to wear face-covering masks during demonstrations.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has warned of a "very high risk" of disorder, particularly during the Halloween weekend.
Two weeks ago, demonstrations over the rising cost of living and poor conditions in schools escalated into widespread unrest, with looting and riots reported in several French cities.
Although authorities have since intensified efforts to prevent violence, last weekend witnessed further demonstrations across the country, accompanied by occasional clashes between protesters and police.
Alain Di Crescenzo, president of the French Chamber of Commerce, said business owners were increasingly concerned about the potential impact of the demonstrations.
"Shopkeepers can't wait for Saturday to be over," he told broadcaster France Inter.
He also expressed concern that Halloween celebrations could complicate the security situation, as people wearing masks might make it more difficult to identify individuals involved in violent incidents.
Source: Al Jazeera