Meloni condemns violence as cost-of-living protests erupt across Italy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 17:19 · Archive

Violent protests over living costs erupted across Italian cities on Saturday, with clashes in Milan, Bologna and Turin injuring police and demonstrators.

Violent protests over cost-of-living and wages erupted across Italian cities on Saturday. In Milan, black-clad masked youths threw fireworks and bottles at police and erected barricades in the Piazza Duomo. Police withdrew initially and later used tear gas to clear the square. According to Italian news agency ANSA, at least four police officers and 20 demonstrators were injured in Milan. Approximately 50 young people were arrested, about half of them minors. Clashes also broke out in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo, with police in Bologna using water cannon.

The protests were driven by anger over high prices, stagnant real wages and a shortage of affordable housing in major cities. In Rome, thousands joined a demonstration organised by the Italian General Confederation of Labour, whose leader Maurizio Landini announced a general strike for 20 November.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence on Sunday, expressing solidarity with police. She said those exploiting demonstrations to provoke confrontations were 'gangs of thugs'. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala also condemned the violence while acknowledging the grievances behind the protests, saying the reasons were understandable but 'the violence against police and the serious damage to the city, however, cannot be justified'.

How it is being reported

• Meloni backs police after cost-of-living protests turn violent in Italian citiesAnger over living costs and low wages has brought Italians onto the streets. A major union has called a general strike for November 20.DW News · 18 Oct, 17:02
• Meloni condemns ‘gangs of thugs’ after protests turned violent across ItalyGiorgia Meloni backed law enforcement after violent anti-government protests erupted across Italy, with clashes in Milan, Bologna and Turin injuring police officers.Fox News · 18 Oct, 16:34

In this story: Giorgia Meloni · Milan · Bologna · Turin · Italy · Giuseppe Sala · Maurizio Landini · Italian General Confederation of Labour

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem