Italy's protests against rising prices turn into mass riots

Mass riots in Italian cities

Protest actions directed against the rising cost of living, higher fuel prices and increased tax pressure in Italy have taken on the character of mass riots. Milan suffered the most destruction, where, according to Ansa agency, hundreds of young people in black clothing forced the police to retreat. Protesters threw homemade explosives, fences and bottles.

Clashes in other regions

Similar confrontations, where young people threw stones and firecrackers at law enforcement officers, also took place in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo. In Turin, a peaceful march by city committees quickly came under the control of radical groups and teenagers from the suburbs. One of the organisers stated that he was beaten by a group of provocateurs after he called for masks to be removed.

In Bologna, clashes broke out near the railway station. There, protesters threw stones, bottles and smoke bombs at security forces, forcing the police to use water cannons and tear gas.

Government reaction

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that the right to protest is lawful, but riots in cities are unacceptable. She called on the opposition to condemn the violence, noting that any silence implies its justification. Government officials criticised the centre-left for stoking the conflict.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala called the reasons for the protest understandable, while violence and destruction were unacceptable. He called on politicians not to use the situation for pre-election PR. Sala stated a high level of anxiety due to protests that are beyond control, and noted that there were not enough law enforcement officers in Milan to contain the crowd, so the ministry must provide more resources.

Consequences and incident details

As a result of the clashes in Milan, at least four police officers and 20 protesters were injured, and over 50 people were detained, half of whom were minors. According to police data, groups of young people self-organised from the suburbs and other regions and seized the initiative from the peaceful organisers of the march.