Rome, October 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Protests over rising living costs, military expansion and increased defence spending swept across several Italian cities, with clashes between demonstrators and police reported in multiple locations, according to Italian media reports.
In Bologna, clashes broke out between some demonstrators and police on Saturday evening, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported. Emergency medical services received 17 calls for assistance, and six people were taken to hospital by ambulance, according to Xinhua news agency.
In Rome, demonstrators began an anti-war march from Piazza della Repubblica on Saturday afternoon, the ANSA news agency reported. Clashes erupted between protesters and police in the city centre later in the evening, prompting officers to use water cannons and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
In Turin, demonstrators protesting mainly against increased military spending and rising fuel prices clashed with police on Saturday evening. Some protesters allegedly threw fireworks and bottles at officers, who responded with tear gas.
The demonstrations came after protests in Italy escalated into riots and looting the previous weekend, particularly in Milan. In response, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi ordered additional police personnel to be deployed across the country, with reinforcements concentrated in major cities where large rallies were expected.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence in a social media post on Saturday evening, emphasising the need to protect both peaceful demonstrators and the wider public.
“Everyone’s safety must be guaranteed: those who wish to demonstrate peacefully, those who work, and those who want to live in their cities without fear,” Meloni said.
She added that authorities must not allow those seeking confrontation and violence to disrupt public life.
The latest unrest highlights mounting tensions surrounding economic pressures, government defence policies and public demonstrations, as authorities step up security measures across the country.
FOLLOW NOW
