Thousands of students, workers and trade union members joined a nationwide strike in Italy, demanding affordable housing, better school facilities and greater investment in public services.
ROME: Thousands of students, workers and trade union members staged demonstrations across Italy on Friday, demanding lower living costs, affordable housing and increased investment in public education amid growing economic pressures and concerns over deteriorating school facilities.
The nationwide protests, held alongside a general strike, brought together demonstrators from different sectors who urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to prioritise public welfare and essential services over increasing defence expenditure.
According to AFP, the demonstrations were among the largest waves of protests in Italy in recent months. Students occupied schools and established temporary protest camps in several cities to draw attention to education-related problems and the rising cost of living.
The USB trade union, which organised the nationwide strike, estimated that between 1 million and 1.5 million people participated in demonstrations across the country. However, authorities did not release official attendance figures.
In Rome, 16-year-old student Sofia Cataldi highlighted the poor condition of school buildings, citing problems such as falling windows and rats. She said students deserved safe, clean and properly maintained educational facilities.
University students also protested against increasingly expensive accommodation and tuition fees. Beatrice Chelelli, 21, said student housing had become unaffordable, with a single room in Rome costing as much as 1,200 euros per month, adding to the financial pressure on families.
The demonstration in Rome began near the city’s main railway station before passing prominent landmarks, including the Colosseum, and heading towards the Economy Ministry. Protesters carried banners and flags calling for greater investment in education, housing and public services.
In Milan, demonstrators displayed banners bearing the message “Take Back Your Future”. Stefano De Fennis, 25, expressed hope that growing cooperation between workers and students could eventually lead to lasting changes.
The protests also attracted truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers, many of whom have raised concerns about rising fuel prices and increased military spending.
Although most demonstrations remained peaceful, clashes occurred in some cities. In Turin, police used batons and water cannons to disperse protesters. In Rome, some young demonstrators threw bottles, overturned rubbish bins and set one of them on fire.
The unrest followed clashes between young protesters and police in Milan on October 17 and 18. After those incidents, Meloni’s government introduced stricter regulations governing public gatherings and eased certain conditions for detaining minors.
Last week, the government approved a 175.2 million euro relief package for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by rising fuel costs. Proposed measures for the 2027 budget also include an annual bonus of 2,500 euros for workers under 30.
Meloni has said her government wants to address the concerns of young people who feel neglected by the state. However, she stressed that the proposed benefits would not be intended for those involved in vandalism.
The demonstrations underline the demands facing Italy’s government as students and workers call for practical improvements in education, housing affordability and everyday living conditions.
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