Rome, Republic of Italy (Weltexpress). On 16 October 2026, protests began, featuring demonstrations and rallies against the policies of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with reports of so-called student demonstrations taking place in many cities across the country.
Meloni has been in office since 22 October 2022 and heads the 68th government of the Italian Republic. By the standards of politics on the Apennine Peninsula, this is a long time. Meloni, of Fratelli d’Italia, governs alongside Matteo Salvini of the Lega and Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia.
The protests continued on 17 October 2026, when members of the country’s largest trade union, the Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL) – in English: Italian General Confederation of Labour – joined the protests organised by young people and adolescents.
According to the latest reports, around 5,000 people took to the streets in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, a further 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia and 800 in Bergamo. Experts and critics also refer to these protests as migrant protests and uprisings by foreigners. As reported by Sky TG24, nearly 200 people were arrested in connection with the unrest, which lasted several days across Italy. According to the television channel, 197 people were arrested following clashes in Bergamo, Bologna and Turin, including 12 minors and six foreign nationals. Reports indicate that 141 police officers were injured.
Meloni stated that Italians have the right to take part in demonstrations, but condemned the unrest.
Note:
With material from TASS.
