Giorgia Meloni, Italy's Prime Minister, strongly condemned the recent unrest in several major cities in Italy and emphasized that while peaceful protests are a fundamental part of a democratic society, no form of political violence and destruction will be tolerated.
The difference between peaceful and violent protests
In a statement published on social media, Meloni distinguished between peaceful protesters and violent rioters. She said: "I have great respect for the thousands who protested peacefully today. Although some of these individuals were from leftist parties, participation in any form of protest is the foundation of any healthy democracy."
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The Prime Minister also referred to the law enforcement response to violence and destruction in several urban centers, stating that such actions should not be overlooked. She added: "However, we cannot ignore what has happened in other squares in Italy. In Milan, for example, stones were thrown at law enforcement forces, and several officers were injured. In Turin, individuals were arrested who were carrying paving stones and tools to break windows, and in Bologna, the unrest led to the precautionary closure of the train station."
Call for political unity and condemnation of violence
Meloni criticized the perpetrators of the destruction, describing them as "thugs who exploit protests" and added: "Protesting is a right, but burning cities is not." She urged opposition political parties to clearly and unequivocally take a stand against street violence and warned that failing to do so would harm public safety and law enforcement.
She concluded: "I reiterate my request to the opposition: do not be ambiguous about this. Condemn these violent actions unequivocally and call for calm in any form of protest." Meloni also emphasized the need for political unity in rejecting political violence, stating: "In the face of such scenes, the rejection of these acts must be universal. Any hesitation will justify these actions, and silence is unacceptable."
These remarks were made as widespread protests against rising living costs turned violent in several major cities in Italy on Saturday. The demonstrations, organized by the "Italy in the Square" committee, led to severe clashes, mass arrests, and property destruction. According to Italian media, over 5,000 people participated in the protests in Milan alone, opposing rising prices, low wages, lack of funding for public health services, and poor conditions in public schools.
The worst unrest occurred in Milan, where the situation in Piazza Duomo turned into scenes described as "urban warfare." Rioters attacked shop windows, set a construction site on fire, and threw incendiary devices at state police officers. Riot police responded with several charges against the crowd, resulting in about 12 people being hospitalized and around 50 arrested.
In Bologna, clashes concentrated in the city's main transportation hub, where a group of hooded youths attacked the central train station. Protesters threw stones, glass bottles, and smoke bombs at law enforcement, and many public bicycles were overturned. Police and Carabinieri, fully equipped with riot gear, used water cannons and tear gas to prevent access to the station and disperse the crowd, with at least seven people arrested following these clashes.
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