Politics · Italy · 3 hrs ago
CGIL-led march in Rome calls for better jobs, public services and peace
The CGIL and more than 100 associations are marching in Rome to call for a country guided by work, social justice, equality and peace.
The march begins at Piazza della Repubblica and heads to Piazza del Popolo, where speeches are planned.
Organizers want higher wages and pensions and less insecure work, as well as action against low-paid work and the pay gap between women and men.
They also call for more funding for public health care and education, more staff and shorter waiting lists.
Their wider demands include public housing, jobs linked to the ecological transition, and diplomacy and disarmament instead of higher military spending.
The march also calls for the right to protest and for democratic freedoms and constitutional principles to be protected; CGIL leader Maurizio Landini is due to give the closing remarks.
The CGIL-led “La Via Maestra” national march took place in Rome on 17 October, calling for better jobs, welfare, equality and peace.
The rally was promoted by Italy’s CGIL trade union and more than 100 secular and Catholic associations.
Organizers called for higher wages and pensions, less precarious work, stronger public health and education, and more housing support.
They also called for investment in green industry and diplomacy, opposed higher military spending, and urged protection of democratic freedoms and the Constitution.
The march began at Piazza della Repubblica and was scheduled to end at Piazza del Popolo, where CGIL chief Maurizio Landini was to give closing remarks.
- Who
- CGIL and more than 100 secular and Catholic associations organized the march. Opposition leaders including Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte were also expected.
- What
- A national march calling for better jobs, welfare, equality and peace.
- When
- 17 October 2026.
- Where
- Rome, from Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza del Popolo.
- Why
- Organizers sought policies on wages, public services, housing, green jobs and democratic freedoms, and opposed increased military spending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Collettiva announced the march planned for the following day, with a gathering at 13:30 in Piazza della Repubblica.
The march was scheduled to set off from Piazza della Repubblica toward Piazza del Popolo.
Speeches were planned in Piazza del Popolo, with closing remarks by CGIL secretary-general Maurizio Landini.
- Organizers
- CGIL and more than 100 associations
- Date
- 17 October 2026
- Starting point
- Piazza della Repubblica, Rome
- Destination
- Piazza del Popolo, Rome
- Health funding proposal
- 7.5% of GDP
- Education funding proposal
- 5% of GDP
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What people are saying
Invests only in weapons
A country founded on work, social justice, equality and peace, as indicated by the Constitution