World

Tens of Thousands Protest Across Italy as Security Measures Tighten

By Al Jazeera Staff

On Friday, tens of thousands of students and union members marched in dozens of Italian cities, demanding lower living costs, increased investment in education, and an end to Middle East wars. The hard‑right government expanded security, deploying large police forces around key sites such as Rome’s Colosseum and Milan’s cathedral. Skirmishes broke out in Turin, while rallies also took place in Bologna and Genoa. The USB trade union called for a general strike that drew truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers. Unions in Italy and abroad—France, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco—issued a joint statement calling for an end to the wars in Gaza and the militarisation of ports, stating that “ports must not be used for the transport of weapons, ammunition, military equipment and troops. Dockworkers do not work for war!” The government last week approved a €175 million aid package for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by fuel price hikes linked to the Middle East conflict. Since 2000, Italy’s food, energy, transport and bill prices have risen 68 percent, while average wages have fallen nearly 5 percent. The draft 2027 budget, currently under discussion, includes measures such as a €2,500 annual bonus for workers under 30. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said at a news conference that the measures were “not for those who smash windows” and hoped they would address the concerns of young people. Following clashes on the weekend of October 17‑18 in Milan, where mainly young people looted shops and smashed windows, Meloni tightened laws on public gatherings and eased restrictions on the detention of minors.