Italy’s Meloni denounces clashes during cost-of-living protests

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned violence that erupted during cost-of-living protests in several cities on Saturday, while stressing the right to peaceful demonstration.

Demonstrations against rising living costs, low wages, high fuel prices and pressure on public services took place across Italy, including under the “Italia in Piazza” banner and a large CGIL trade union mobilisation in Rome.

In Milan, clashes broke out in Piazza Duomo near the cathedral, with protesters throwing stones and other objects at police.

Officers used tear gas and water cannons; shops shuttered, the Duomo metro station closed temporarily, and tourists left the area.

Reports indicated injuries on both sides and around 50 detentions in Milan, many involving young people.

Similar unrest occurred in Bologna, where police deployed water cannons near the central railway station after a breakaway group threw objects, prompting its precautionary closure and at least seven arrests.

In Turin, authorities stopped people carrying cobblestones and glass-breaking hammers.

Meloni described the perpetrators as “hooligans” or “thugs who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for public safety and hold entire cities hostage.”

In a social media statement, Meloni wrote: “I have great respect for the thousands of people who demonstrated peacefully today, including those who took part in the rally organised by the CGIL, which was also attended by leaders of the left. Whatever the ideas people are demonstrating for, participation is the foundation of any healthy democracy.”

Ho grande rispetto per le migliaia di persone che oggi hanno manifestato pacificamente, anche partecipando alla mobilitazione indetta dalla CGIL che ha visto anche la partecipazione dei leader della sinistra. Qualunque siano le idee per le quali si manifesta, la partecipazione è alla base di qualunque sana democrazia. Dall’altro lato, però, non possiamo ignorare quanto accaduto in altre piazze italiane. A Milano, come mostrano queste immagini, lanci di pietre contro le Forze dell’Ordine, agenti feriti, danneggiamenti e violenze che hanno costretto a interrompere il corteo. A Torino sono state fermate persone con sanpietrini e martelletti frangivetro. A Bologna i disordini hanno portato alla chiusura precauzionale della stazione ferroviaria. Teppisti che sfruttano le manifestazioni per seminare il caos, aggredire chi garantisce la sicurezza e tenere in ostaggio intere città. Manifestare è un diritto. Mettere a ferro e fuoco le nostre città non lo è. Rinnovo la mia richiesta alle opposizioni: non siano ambigue su questo. Condannino senza ambiguità queste violenze e lancino un appello chiaro affinché ogni mobilitazione sia pacifica. Di fronte a scene del genere, il rifiuto deve essere unanime. Ogni reticenza diventa giustificazione. Il silenzio non è accettabile.

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 17, 2026

She added: “On the other hand, however, we cannot ignore what has happened in other Italian towns and cities… Demonstrating is a right. Letting our cities go up in flames is not.”

She called on opposition parties to “condemn this violence unequivocally and issue a clear appeal for all demonstrations to be peaceful,” arguing that “any hesitation becomes a justification” and “silence is not acceptable.”

Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani similarly described violence and vandalism as “totally unacceptable,” while expressing solidarity with police.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the reasons for the protests were “understandable” but the violence against police and damage to the city were “unjustifiable.”
The CGIL-led event in Rome remained largely peaceful and focused on wages, public services, peace and constitutional rights, with union leader Maurizio Landini later announcing a general strike for 20 November.

The incidents form part of broader autumn discontent in Italy over economic pressures, following student protests days earlier.