Italy tightens security as nationwide protests hit major cities
Italy deployed a heavy police presence on Friday as tens of thousands of students and union members marched through dozens of cities, including Rome, Milan and Naples. The demonstrations targeted soaring living costs, demanded more investment in education, and called for an end to conflicts in the Middle East. Security was particularly reinforced around the Colosseum in Rome and Milan’s cathedral.
But the protests were largely peaceful, with only minor clashes reported at the start of a rally in Turin. Rallies also took place in Bologna and Genoa. The USB trade union had called a general strike, drawing truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers alongside students and other workers.
Unions demand end to wars and militarisation of ports
Unions from Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Turkiye and Morocco issued a joint call to stop the wars in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza. They demanded “an end to the militarisation of ports” and declared that “dockworkers do not work for war!” The statement also said ports must not be used to transport weapons, ammunition, military equipment or troops.
Recent weeks have seen rallies against higher fuel prices and rising defence spending. Last week, the government agreed to a 175 million euro ($195 million) aid package for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict. Prices for food, energy, transport and bills in Italy have risen 68 percent since 2000, while average wages fell almost 5 percent.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said measures to support young people and families are in the draft 2027 budget, including an annual bonus of 2,500 euros for workers under 30. She stressed the measures were “not for those who smash windows,” referring to clashes in Milan over the weekend of October 17-18, when groups of mainly young people looted shops and smashed windows. Meloni has since toughened laws on public gatherings and eased restrictions on detention of minors.
