Giorgia Meloni Condemns Violent Protests Across Major Italian Cities

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned widespread violent protests that erupted across Italy on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The demonstrations, organized by the CGIL labor union and the Italy in the Square committee, were intended to protest soaring inflation, stagnant wages, and a shortage of affordable housing. While Meloni expressed respect for peaceful participants, she attributed the unrest to organized extreme-left groups and gangs of thugs.

Violence was most severe in Milan, where rioters looted stores in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, erected barricades in Piazza del Duomo, and set a construction site on fire. Authorities reported 50 detentions in Milan, half of whom were minors. In Turin, approximately 100 police officers were injured and 30 people were arrested, including 12 detained for possessing petrol bombs. In Bologna, 56 police officers were injured and the central railway station was closed as a precaution following attacks with stones and smoke bombs.

Meloni urged opposition leaders to unequivocally condemn the violence, stating that while demonstrating is a right, setting cities ablaze is not. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala acknowledged that the reasons for the protests were understandable but maintained that the violence against law enforcement was unjustifiable. Meanwhile, CGIL leader Maurizio Landini announced a general strike for November 20 during a demonstration in Rome.