Italy strikes and protests over high costs and rearmament
Workers and students demonstrate in several Italian cities against the Meloni government, rising prices and military spending.
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Demonstrations were held across Italy on Friday during a general strike called by the USB trade union. Workers, students and other protesters are demonstrating against the cost of living, rearmament and the policies of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The actions are taking place in several cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Venice and Palermo. According to news agency ANSA, thousands of workers, students and sometimes their parents are taking part in marches. ANSA reports that there is a large police presence at the demonstrations amid fears of violence. Earlier protests descended into violence in some places this month.
USB, a smaller and more radical trade union, called the strike in the public and private sectors. The union links the action to what it sees as insufficient purchasing power, high housing and energy costs, and a political choice to increase military spending. Student organisations are also taking part, criticising the funding of education and prospects for young people.
The protests follow unrest in several Italian cities. ANSA reports that riots and looting took place in Milan on 17 and 18 October, followed by violent clashes in Turin, Rome and Bologna. The earlier incidents do not indicate how the current demonstrations will unfold.
The Italian authorities have tightened security measures. The Interior Minister warned earlier this week that the tension was not yet over. The government is simultaneously trying to keep the strike and public order manageable; additional rules have been established for parts of the transport system.
The demonstrators’ demands also touch on a wider European debate. In several countries, purchasing power, defence spending and the effects of wars on the economy and society are on the agenda at the same time. Italy is especially sensitive to debates about wages: ANSA reported on Friday that wages rose by 2.5 per cent year on year in September, while inflation stood at 5.4 per cent in October.
The scale and consequences of the strike cannot yet be determined definitively during the day. It is also still unclear whether the protests will lead to new policy decisions. What is clear is that the action is large-scale and nationwide, and is taking place against the backdrop of recent street unrest and a heated debate about the government’s priorities.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A nationwide general strike took place in Italy on 30 October, organised by USB.
- Demonstrations by workers and students took place in dozens of cities.
- The themes included purchasing power, war, rearmament and the policies of the Meloni government.
- The demonstrations took place after earlier violent protests in several cities.
Left
Arguments According to this perspective, the strike shows that the government is making the loss of purchasing power and public services subordinate to military spending. The left would advocate higher wages, stronger social protection and less emphasis on rearmament.
Values Economic equality, public services, workers’ rights and international de-escalation.
Consequences Without a change of course, social unrest and insecurity could grow further; according to this view, increased government spending on social services should take priority.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach emphasises that purchasing-power problems and security concerns exist simultaneously. The government should respect the strike, limit violence and seek targeted support for households through consultation, without losing sight of the budget.
Values The rule of law, social stability, practicability and a balance between security and affordability.
Consequences A compromise could temporarily ease the pressure, but would require choices about taxation, government spending and the allocation of resources.
Right
Arguments The right emphasises that Italy cannot neglect security and its obligations to allies. Demonstrating is legitimate, but according to this perspective blockades and violence must not harm the economy and public order.
Values Public order, national security, economic continuity and responsibility for public finances.
Consequences The government should take firm action against violence while implementing reforms that promote growth and employment, so that higher defence spending is not paid for solely through new burdens.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claims were confirmed by ANSA, Euronews and the Italian strike register. Figures for final attendance and possible incidents have deliberately been limited to what was available during the day.
- confirmed On 30 October 2026, demonstrations took place across Italy during a general strike by USB. — ANSA describes nationwide demonstrations and the USB strike; the Italian strike register lists a national strike on 30 October. source
- confirmed The protests concerned, among other things, the cost of living, war and rearmament. — ANSA and Euronews explicitly mention these themes. source
- confirmed Thousands of people demonstrated in cities including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Venice and Palermo. — ANSA mentions thousands of participants and these cities. source
- confirmed Earlier protests descended into violence in Milan, Turin, Rome and Bologna. — ANSA refers to riots and subsequent violent protests in these cities. source
- confirmed Italian wages rose by 2.5 per cent in September and inflation stood at 5.4 per cent in October. — These figures appear in the current reporting linked by ANSA. source
Editor's note
The nationwide strike and demonstrations on 30 October were confirmed by ANSA and independent reporting. Final attendance figures, disruptions and any escalation were not yet fully known at the time of publication.Sources
- Protests take place all over Italy amid big police presence, fears of violence — ANSA
- Major strikes planned across Italy on Friday against cost of living and military spending — Euronews
- Scioperi — Italiaans ministerie van Infrastructuur en Transport
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