Tens of Thousands Take to Streets Across Italy Over Rising Living Costs

ROME, Italy — October 30, 2026: Tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations across Italy on Friday, protesting rising living costs and what they describe as the deteriorating state of public services, including healthcare and education.

The nationwide demonstrations and 24-hour general strike were organised by the grassroots trade union Unione Sindacale di Base (USB). Protests were planned in more than 50 cities, bringing together students, teachers, public- and private-sector workers, farmers and other groups.

The largest rallies took place in major cities including Rome, Milan and Turin. Demonstrators called for higher wages, stronger public services and measures to ease pressure on household budgets. Some also opposed increased military spending and the use of ports to transport weapons to conflict zones.

In Turin, police used water cannon against students and left-wing activists who approached security cordons near the prefecture. In Milan, protesters marched onto a major ring road before ending their demonstration near the Politecnico di Milano. Most demonstrations were reported to be peaceful, although clashes and isolated incidents occurred in some locations.

In Genoa, around 15,000 port workers, students and other demonstrators entered the port area. Their protest highlighted opposition to the use of ports for arms shipments and drew attention to seafarers killed in conflicts ranging from the Gulf region to the Black Sea.

The action comes amid a wider wave of demonstrations across Europe, where rising food, fuel and housing costs, pressure on wages and concerns about public services have prompted protests in several countries.

In Italy, the protests reflect a range of demands from different groups. Students have called for greater investment in education and housing, while workers and farmers have raised concerns about wages, fuel prices and working conditions.

The demonstrations put further pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government as unions and protesters demand action on living standards and public investment. The scale of participation and the different demands show the breadth of concerns being raised across the country.