FX.co ★ Euro Weakens as Violent Protests Hit Europe

The euro weakened as much as 0.5% to $1.118 on Monday before paring some of its losses, pressured by a wave of protests across France and other European countries that escalated into violent confrontations between police and demonstrators over the weekend. The unrest, which spread to major cities in Belgium, Italy, and Portugal, further undermined sentiment toward the single currency. At the same time, Moscow and Kyiv continued to strike energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian attacks setting ablaze an oil export terminal and a storage facility in St. Petersburg on Sunday, amplifying geopolitical uncertainty. Rising energy prices threatened to curb economic growth while keeping inflationary pressures elevated across Europe, leaving the euro exposed to additional downside if tensions deepen. The currency has been under sustained pressure since September amid mounting concerns over France’s fiscal outlook and the European Central Bank’s cautious approach to raising interest rates.