Politics · Italy · 9 hrs ago
More than 200,000 protest against Meloni government across Italy
More than 200,000 people protested against Giorgia Meloni’s government across Italy, according to independent estimates.
Demonstrations took place in more than 50 cities, with the largest crowds in Rome and Bologna, and students joined in many places.
Italy’s inflation rate reached a provisional 5.4 percent, its highest level in three years, while protesters also criticized low wages and high military spending.
They called for government action on prices and wages, and more funding for schools and universities.
Most protests were peaceful, though there were clashes in some cities; the union’s planned general strike did not take place, and transport strikes were banned by order.
Italy is due to hold a parliamentary election next year, but no date has been set, and Meloni’s party leads in opinion polls.
More than 200,000 people protested against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government across Italy.
The largest rallies, each with about 50,000 people, were in Rome and Bologna, according to independent estimates.
The protests focused on high inflation, low wages and high military spending, with demonstrators also calling for more funding for schools and universities.
The USB union said more than one million people took part nationwide, but that figure was not confirmed by authorities or other sources.
Most rallies were initially peaceful, though there were clashes in some cities and Molotov cocktails were thrown near Rome’s Colosseum.
- Who
- More than 200,000 protesters, including students, took part.
- What
- They demonstrated against the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
- When
- October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Across Italy, with the largest rallies in Rome and Bologna.
- Why
- Protesters opposed high inflation, low wages and high military spending, and called for more funding for schools and universities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Demonstrations in Milan left more than 200 security personnel injured.
Protests took place in more than 50 Italian cities.
- Participants
- More than 200,000, according to the reports
- Largest rallies
- About 50,000 people each in Rome and Bologna
- Cities
- More than 50
- Inflation
- 5.4 percent, based on preliminary calculations for October
- Organizer estimate
- The USB union said more than one million people took part nationwide
2 sources
What people are saying
Lay down the weapons, raise wages
No to the war economy