Meloni backs police after cost-of-living protests turn violent in Italian cities

Violence erupts during cost-of-living protests in Italian cities

The full report

Anger over living costs and low wages has brought Italians onto the streets, with a major union calling a general strike for November 20, according to DW News.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday condemned rioting during cost-of-living protests, expressing solidarity with police after clashes in several cities.

The violence broke out during cost-of-living demonstrations on Saturday, leaving at least four police officers and 20 demonstrators injured in Milan, with black-clad, masked youths throwing fireworks and bottles at police and erecting barricades in the central Piazza Duomo.

Police initially withdrew to await reinforcements and later used tear gas to clear the square, with 50 young people arrested, about half of them minors, according to ANSA.

Clashes also broke out in Turin, Bologna, and Bergamo, with police in Bologna using water cannon and making four arrests, all minors, with seven people reported to prosecutors.

Meloni expressed solidarity with police on Sunday, condemning criminals who she said exploited demonstrations to provoke confrontations and 'sow chaos.'

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala also condemned the violence while acknowledging the grievances behind the demonstrations, stating that 'the reasons for the protest were understandable. The violence against police and the serious damage to the city, however, cannot be justified.'