Thousands Protest Across Italy Against Giorgia Meloni Government and Rising Costs

Thousands of people took to the streets across Italy on Saturday to protest against the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, rising living costs, spiking fuel prices, and increased defense budgets. Demonstrations were held in Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Florence, and other major cities. In several locations, violent clashes erupted between protesters and police, who deployed water cannons, tear gas, and batons. According to police data released Saturday evening, nine people were arrested, 87 were reported to authorities for suspected offenses, and 371 others were detained or taken to police stations.

According to Italian media reports, approximately 10,000 people participated in the marches in Milan, while about 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Turin. No official nationwide total of participants was released. In Milan, students, social activists, and pro-Palestinian protesters marched carrying peace and Palestinian flags. Despite tensions with law enforcement, the protest remained largely peaceful, though many luxury stores closed early out of concern for potential looting and vandalism.

In Rome, a demonstration took place under the slogan "Keep Italy Out of the War." Hundreds of protesters marched toward the city center, with some reaching the Colosseum area. Clashes later ensued when demonstrators attempted to advance toward government buildings, throwing bottles and firecrackers. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas.

In Turin, protesters hurled stones and bottles at officers, who responded with tear gas. During the protest, an image of Prime Minister Meloni was burned. Additional clashes were reported in Bologna, while in Florence, police blocked demonstrators from entering the luxury shopping district.

According to the Department of Public Safety, nine individuals were arrested, 87 were reported for suspected offenses, and 371 were detained or brought in for questioning, including 110 minors. In total, the identities of 4,292 people were checked. In Milan, three arrests were made, four in Padua, and one each in Turin and Naples.

Protesters in Rome told the Italian news agency ANSA that the government is stripping the youth and the country of hope, arguing that rearmament heightens the risk of war and serves only elites rather than ordinary citizens. Organizers of the anti-war protest emphasized that the demonstration was intended to be non-violent and condemned attempts to exploit it for property damage or violent confrontations.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi warned that the government would respond decisively to violence, stating that authorities will remain extremely firm in suppressing violent behavior and that security forces are fully prepared to handle any scenario.

Following riots the previous weekend, police presence was reinforced nationwide, with 500 additional soldiers deployed in Milan alone. Police conducted over 150 searches across some twenty towns as part of an ongoing investigation into violent factions. Despite Saturday's clashes, no widespread looting was reported, unlike the incidents of the previous week.