Thousands protest across Italy over living costs and military spending

Mass protests erupted across Italy on Friday, with demonstrators taking to the streets in over 50 cities. The unrest was fueled by soaring living costs and the deteriorating quality of public services such as healthcare and education. The anti-capitalist trade union Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) led the nationwide action, which involved workers from both the public and private sectors.

Protesters gathered in major cities like Milan, Turin, and Rome, joining forces with young and old to voice their discontent at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing government. In Milan, placards bearing anti-government slogans hung prominently, while in Naples, some protesters went as far as burning photos of Meloni.

Italy's Interior Ministry reported that "preventative" arrests were made to maintain order, though only a few isolated incidents of violence occurred. Demonstrations remained largely peaceful, with authorities swiftly quelling any outbreaks.

The protests carried a strong anti-war sentiment, with many demonstrators displaying Palestinian flags and opposing the government's military expenditure. Demands varied from city to city, ranging from Genoa's dockworkers opposing the "militarization" of their port to Bologna's students advocating for a review of education policy.