ROME — Echoing recent unrest in neighboring France, widespread demonstrations against the soaring cost of living, surging fuel prices, and mounting tax burdens erupted across major Italian cities over the weekend, spiraling into violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
At least 141 police officers were injured, and authorities arrested 197 individuals on Sunday alone following weekend-long unrest organized under the nationwide banner “Italia in Piazza” (Italy in the Squares).
According to Italian broadcaster Sky TG24, unrest began on Saturday when police detained 28 individuals—including 12 minors—on charges of rioting, resisting public officers, and vandalism of public property. An additional 197 people were arrested the following day, with 43 already brought before court magistrates for fast-track hearings.
Police estimates placed thousands of protesters on the streets nationwide: roughly 5,000 marched in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 800 in Bergamo, and 600 in Brescia.
In Milan, demonstrations turned volatile when splinter factions threw stones, glass bottles, fireworks, and makeshift barricades at security lines. Law enforcement responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Amid the chaos, several commercial storefronts were vandalized and looted, and a military police vehicle belonging to the Carabinieri was attacked and heavily damaged. Retail association Confcommercio estimated the commercial damage to businesses in Milan exceeded €500,000 ($540,000) over the two-day period. Milanese police detained 17 individuals in connection with the destruction.
Similar confrontations were reported elsewhere in northern Italy. In Turin, an adult was arrested for obstructing public officials, while three minors were taken into custody after being caught carrying petrol bombs. In Bologna, five minors were detained following violent standoffs near the central railway station, where demonstrators hurled projectiles and barricades at anti-riot personnel before being repelled with tear gas and water cannons.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed firm solidarity with law enforcement and called on opposition parties to condemn the rioting unequivocally. She noted, however, that thousands of citizens who took to the streets had done so peacefully to voice their legitimate economic grievances.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced that his party, the League, plans to reintroduce legislation requiring organizers of high-risk protests to provide financial security bonds to cover public and private property damages.
Local municipal leaders also weighed in. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stated that while the underlying economic frustrations of citizens are understandable, violent attacks on security personnel and the destruction of urban infrastructure remain entirely intolerable. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore similarly condemned the unrest, urging youth and peaceful demonstrators to distance themselves from radical groups orchestrating violence under the guise of civic protest.
Source: Anadolu Agency (with additional details via Sky TG24)