Indonesia urges citizens in Europe to stay away from protests

Safety guidance for Indonesians

Arrmanatha issued the advice in Jakarta on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. He said Indonesian diplomatic missions were tracking the unrest and that protecting Indonesian citizens was the government's top priority.

"We urge Indonesian citizens in Europe to remain vigilant, look after themselves, and avoid getting involved in local political affairs," he said.

Students and expatriates should concentrate on their studies and jobs and follow safety instructions from Indonesian missions and local authorities, he said. The missions are continuing to provide security updates and guidance to Indonesians across the region.

France's protests and their toll

The advisory follows nationwide demonstrations in France on October 17 involving students, trade unions and other groups. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez put participation at approximately 550,000 people, including about 110,000 in Paris. Clashes, looting and attacks on public buildings broke out in several cities.

Anger over living costs and deteriorating public services, including education, has fueled the unrest. According to Deseret News, the French marches developed from high school protests over staffing shortages that began in late September. Students' grievances broadened to include crowded classrooms, poorly maintained facilities and long school days.

By the evening of Sunday, October 18, France's Interior Ministry had recorded 2,397 arrests and injuries to 997 police officers and gendarmes, seven of whom were in critical condition. It also reported that one protester had died, Deseret News reported.

Commerce Minister Serge Papin said the riots and looting affected at least 3,000 businesses. Damage to shops, buildings and government sites was estimated to total hundreds of millions of euros.

Historic buildings damaged and security measures tightened

Among the sites hit was Limoges' historic city hall, where fire destroyed the roof and upper floors and caused the bell tower to collapse. The listed historic monument dates to the 19th century: construction started in 1879, and its inauguration took place on July 14, 1883, according to Euronews and Deseret News. Public buildings and other locations in Marseille and elsewhere were also targeted.

Protest action continued on Monday, October 19, when students blocked access to the Louvre in Paris, delaying its scheduled opening. Museum management identified students from the Ecole du Louvre as the organizers, Deseret News reported.

Authorities imposed overnight curfews in specific parts of Paris and other areas. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on Monday for limited, local curfews, while President Emmanuel Macron declined Nuñez's offer to resign and ordered a review of intelligence and security planning.

Lecornu and other French officials accused a far-left movement of trying to stir unrest ahead of the next presidential election, which is due to select Macron's successor.

Reports of unrest in Belgium

The French unrest has prompted concern about demonstrations spreading to neighboring countries. Belgium has also experienced protests over public policy and budget measures, though the scale and circumstances of reported incidents still require verification.

Euronews reported clashes between protesters and police in Brussels and Liège on Saturday, October 17. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said the situation was "no longer simply a protest," describing it as "pure and simple violence, organised and repeated with the aim of destabilising our society."