Protests over rising rents turn violent in Germany's Leipzig

Violent protests erupted in the eastern German city of Leipzig for a third consecutive night over evictions from an occupied building that has become a symbol of anger over rising rents.

According to reports, around 500 people took part in the rally on Saturday evening, police said early Sunday.

Protesters in the city's Connewitz district threw stones and fireworks, they said, with two officers suffering injuries.

The rally was broken up after less than an hour but spontaneous demonstrations followed during the night.

The rallies aim to denounce what the far-left in particular perceives as the "gentrification" of Leipzig, with the purchase of many apartment buildings by groups of financial investors.

Demonstrations on Friday evening also turned violent, with protesters throwing bottles, fireworks and stones. Eight police officers were slightly injured, six police vehicles damaged and a police station pelted with paint bags and stones.

Leipzig mayor Burkhard Jung described the riots Saturday as a "serious setback" for the debate around affordable housing.

SS