Leftist protests in Paris and Rome target policies of socialist leaders
Socialist politicians are accused of siding with big business in the two embattled EU nations
Tens of thousands of people took part in protests in central Paris and Rome organised by hard-left parties against government economic reform plans and austerity measures.
Riot police with batons charged the group, with protesters fighting back with rocks and firecrackers. One man lost a hand when a firecracker exploded.
In Paris, protesters marched with banners attacking President Francois Hollande with slogans such as "Hollande, that's enough" and "When you are leftist you support employees".
Police said that about 25,000 joined the protest, which came after Prime Minister Manuel Valls unveiled planned tax and spending cuts on Tuesday, vowing to bring down France's public deficit , following on from pro-business reforms announced earlier this year by Hollande.
The turnout, however, was well short of crowds in Paris last year against same-sex marriage that drew hundreds of thousands. The French Communist Party estimated Saturday's turnout at 100,000.
The protest in Rome was smaller, drawing several thousand, according to witnesses. They called for more affordable housing and took aim at Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his plans to reform labour rules to make it easier for companies to hire and fire employees.