France and Italy face fuel shortages, protests and unrest

France’s interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, offered his resignation after violent protests and widespread looting in major cities over the weekend, but President Emmanuel Macron has asked him to stay ^[2]. The unrest followed nationwide demonstrations against soaring living costs and deteriorating public services, with at least 2,400 people arrested. In Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Limoges, groups set fires to trash bins, looted businesses, and targeted public buildings—flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges, collapsing its roof. Nuñez admitted police had lost control in some areas and acknowledged failures in intelligence and planning. Macron instructed him to ensure transparency and implement new policing tactics immediately.

Meanwhile, in Italy, protests over fuel prices and the cost of living erupted in Milan, where hundreds of hooded demonstrators smashed shop windows, set bins alight, and clashed with police in riot gear, who responded with teargas and water cannons ^[1]. The violence echoed scenes in France, with similar unrest reported across southern Italy, including Sicily, Puglia, and Calabria. Lorry drivers blocked major roads, causing massive traffic jams and triggering fuel shortages. Hundreds of petrol stations have run out of both petrol and diesel, while supermarkets and pharmacies report dwindling supplies of fresh food and essential medicines.

Pasquale Russo, president of Conftrasporto, warned of a potential nationwide strike unless the government holds urgent talks with transport associations ^[1]. He cited excessive price increases in the haulage sector as a key driver of the unrest, calling the situation ‘very concerning’. The crisis has raised alarm over the stability of supply chains, with fears that prolonged blockades could disrupt access to vital goods.

The twin crises in France and Italy highlight deepening public frustration over economic pressures and institutional failures, as governments struggle to contain escalating unrest across Europe. The story was first reported by The Guardian and The Independent.