Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Italy Strikes Against Meloni's Budget
A big group of workers in Italy went on strike and marched in the streets because they don't like the new budget plan made by their prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.
They think the budget doesn't help regular people enough and spends too much on defence.
The government says the budget is good for the country's money and helps middle-class people.
The strike caused problems with trains, schools, and other services.
The prime minister's party is still popular, but some people are starting to like the opposite party more.
The next big vote is in 2027.
Italy's largest trade union, CGIL, organized a national strike against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's 2026 budget.
Over 500,000 people marched in rallies across Italy's main cities, disrupting trains, schools, and public services.
CGIL criticized the budget for increasing defence spending and lacking investment in healthcare, education, salaries, and pensions.
The government defends the budget, stating it strengthens public finances and lowers taxes for middle earners.
Recent surveys show a decline in the government's popularity and a modest rise in support for the centre-left opposition.
- Who
- CGIL union members and supporters
- What
- National strike and protests against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's 2026 budget
- When
- Friday, December 12, 2024
- Where
- Italy's main cities
- Why
- Protest against budget's planned increases in defence spending and lack of investment in healthcare, education, salaries, and pensions
- Union Involved
- CGIL
- Estimated Participants
- 500,000+
- Budget Year
- 2026
- Government Response
- Budget strengthens public finances, lowers middle-class taxes
- Government Popularity
- Declining in recent surveys
