Tens of thousands of students and workers demonstrated across Italy on Friday, October 30, as the government increased security in response to concerns about unrest. Marches took place in dozens of cities, with protesters demanding action on rising living costs, more funding for education and an end to wars in the Middle East.
Rome, Milan and Naples were among the cities where demonstrations were held. Authorities reinforced security around Rome’s Colosseum, the country’s most visited tourist site, and provided additional protection for Milan’s cathedral. Large numbers of police were deployed as the hard-right government sought to contain potential disorder following unrest in Italy and other European countries in recent weeks.
In Turin, protesters and riot police were involved in a few skirmishes as a demonstration began. Bologna and Genoa also hosted rallies. A general strike called by the USB trade union drew substantial participation, with truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers among those joining the protests.
The demonstrations followed weeks of rallies against increasing fuel prices and defence spending. Unions also joined counterparts in France, Greece, Spain, Turkiye and Morocco in calling for an end to Middle East wars, including the war in Gaza. Their joint statement opposed the militarisation of ports and demanded that ports cease being used to move weapons, ammunition, military equipment and troops.
Economic pressures formed a central part of the protesters’ grievances. Prices for food, energy, transport and bills in Italy have increased by 68 percent since 2000, while average wages have declined by almost 5 percent. The previous week, the government approved aid worth 175 million euros, or $195 million, for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by soaring fuel costs linked to the Middle East war.
The draft budget for 2027 also contains measures intended to help young people and families. These include an annual payment of 2,500 euros for workers younger than 30. The proposals remain under discussion among the parties in the governing coalition.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she hoped the measures would respond to young people who felt the state did not care about them. She stressed that the support was “not for those who smash windows”.
Meloni tightened public gathering laws and relaxed restrictions on detaining minors after clashes between young people and police in Milan over the October 17 to 18 weekend. During that unrest, groups made up mainly of young people looted shops and broke windows.
