Massive Protests Erupt Across Italy and Europe: What’s Behind the Unrest?

Protests Sweep Through Major Italian Cities

On Saturday, thousands of young demonstrators took to the streets in various Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, and Turin. Authorities responded by deploying a significant number of police and military personnel to prevent a recurrence of the violent incidents that occurred during protests the previous week.

While the demonstration in Milan remained largely peaceful, there were reports of minor confrontations with law enforcement in both Rome and Turin.

In Milan, the streets were filled with young protesters as soldiers were stationed and luxury shops were boarded up. However, by late afternoon, many stores had reopened, according to local news outlets.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced new measures, including the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan and stricter penalties for minors, who were identified as a significant portion of last week's violent protesters. Police in Milan took preventive action by detaining several minors.

Although protests in France have garnered significant international attention, numerous European cities, including Milan, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, and Tirana, experienced large-scale demonstrations on the same day.

The protests addressed a wide array of issues, including education, corruption, anti-war sentiments, pensions, and housing.

As night fell in Milan, large crowds of predominantly young people gathered, chanting slogans against Meloni and displaying banners with messages like 'No to state lies.'

Some protesters even dumped manure outside Italy's energy regulator and burned a symbolic oversized electricity bill, as shown in local television broadcasts.

The 500 soldiers sent to Milan were in addition to hundreds already stationed there, supporting around 5,000 police and security personnel. Authorities implemented drone surveillance, conducted checks at train stations, and monitored online platforms for potential calls to violence.

Pierfrancesco Majorino, a candidate for mayor who announced his candidacy on Thursday, joined the marchers and noted the peaceful nature of the day, as reported by Italian media. He is set to compete in a centre-left primary in early 2027, as Milan's current centre-left Mayor Giuseppe Sala will not seek re-election.

Many luxury boutiques in Milan's fashion district, including Omega, Tiffany, and Gucci, boarded up their windows, while the Apple store remained closed even as other shops reopened.

Last weekend, rioters had broken into stores, targeting sneakers and athletic gear in areas surrounding the city's central Duomo square.

Security measures were heightened beyond the city center due to concerns that protesters might spread to other neighborhoods.

The march concluded peacefully on Saturday evening outside the Milan Polytechnic, located over two kilometers from the city center.

Authorities announced an investigation into a 30-year-old freelance journalist believed to be the 'mastermind' behind the newly-formed October 17 movement, which has been a key player in the recent protests in Italy.

Milan police reported that last week's violence involved approximately 2,000 young protesters, many of whom were 'naturalized, second-generation Italians,' along with foreign nationals. Over two days, police arrested 45 individuals, including 34 minors.

A small group of around 30 far-right activists, linked to the Inter Milan soccer club, briefly appeared, chanting anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim slogans but were quickly isolated by police.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated that the soldiers deployed on Saturday were recently authorized to use plastic restraint ties, but only in areas around train stations, and they are not permitted to carry pepper spray or tasers.

In Rome, security was also intensified, with authorities locking down luxury shopping areas and increasing controls around the Circus Maximus and Piazza del Popolo.

A small number of protesters attempted to breach the Colosseum but were quickly escorted out by security. Meanwhile, several hundred students demonstrated peacefully to clarify that they were not involved in the rioting.

Riccardo Ponzio, the national president of an Italian far-right student association, expressed concern over the violent images from the previous week, emphasizing that the majority of young people want to study and should not be represented by those who exploit issues to wreak havoc.

An anti-war march also took place in central Rome, with organizers urging participants to keep their faces visible and hands free from objects. However, this group briefly clashed with police near Piazza della Repubblica, despite organizers attempting to maintain order. The situation de-escalated when a water cannon was deployed, prompting protesters to retreat.

In Tirana, Albania's capital, riot police used water cannons against large groups of protesters, some of whom set government buildings ablaze and hurled projectiles at law enforcement. Authorities reported that 2,500 officers were on patrol on Saturday.

For over a week, protesters have clashed with police, throwing rocks, flares, and firebombs, while police responded with batons and tear gas in the city center.

Students from high schools and universities are demanding lower tuition fees, increased state investment in education, and protesting corruption within the education system. Some have joined a broader anti-government movement calling for the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Earlier, a separate protest organized by the opposition outside the prime minister's office turned violent, with some activists igniting fires in the street.

Prime Minister Rama stated that his government is preparing a response to the students' demands and called for dialogue, warning that violent protesters would face consequences.

In Spain, thousands of retirees and others marched peacefully in Madrid to demand that public pensions remain untouched.

Maria Jose Benito, 68, expressed concerns about potential privatization of pensions, stating, 'They are threatening us with privatizing pensions. It is just another thing they want to profit from.'

These protests come ahead of next month's snap election, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party criticized the conservative opposition Popular Party for suggesting privatization of public pensions. Spain has also seen protests this fall regarding housing issues, as rental and home prices have surged beyond what many can afford.

In Lisbon, protesters inspired by the Spanish demonstrations marched across the city, demanding affordable housing.

They have also criticized recent government measures announced by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, which include easing caps on annual rent increases and facilitating evictions for non-paying tenants.

Montenegro defended these measures as efforts to build trust between tenants and landlords and to stimulate the rental market, while protesters argue that these actions leave tenants vulnerable.