Italians protest rising prices and education cuts; Meloni condemns violence

Tension is running high in Italy. Thousands of people, students and trade unions have taken to the streets against rising prices, inadequate funding for education and a deteriorating health system. Protests are under way in Rome and in major cities such as Milan, Turin and Bologna.

In several places, protesters tried to occupy school and university buildings. Violent clashes between demonstrators and police followed.

The movement began mainly over problems in education, but it has now widened into a social and political one. Inspired by recent workers' and students' protests in France and Spain, Italy's left-wing groups and labour unions have joined forces against the government. Protesters allege that the policies of the right-wing coalition government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni do not serve ordinary people and have pushed up prices and unemployment.

The state of public education has become the central issue. Students held large marches across the country, chanting slogans such as "No Meloni Day" and "No Budget Cut". Student organisations have alleged that budgets for state schools and colleges are being cut and the money diverted to military spending.

Dilapidated school buildings, a shortage of teachers and rising fees are putting the education of young people from middle-class and poor families at risk. Rising prices and soaring food costs have also badly hit ordinary Italians. CGIL, the country's largest trade union, has directly backed the movement and has pressed its demands for higher wages and secure jobs.

In a social media post on 17 October 2026, Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) wrote that the streets of Europe are burning. According to him, about 7,000 people were detained in France, 86 per cent of them minors, and a teenager lost a hand to a stun grenade. On Italy, he wrote that there were clashes at the Duomo in Milan, and that stones were thrown and water cannon used in Turin. Students are also on the streets in Belgium, Greece and Spain. The post cited crumbling schools, a shortage of teachers and a rising cost of living as the reasons for the anger.

Prime Minister Meloni responded to the growing unrest on the social media platform X. She said that in a democracy every citizen has the full right to protest peacefully for their demands and views. She also said she fully respects the peaceful protest of the thousands who took part in the CGIL rally.

Meloni also strongly condemned the violence and the vandalism of public property during the protests. She said firmly, "Peaceful protest is a right, but setting cities on fire or attacking police cannot be democracy." She said those responsible for violence would face strict legal action. Turning on the opposition, she said opposition parties and left-wing leaders had failed to clearly condemn the violence.

The issue no longer appears confined to Italy. Anger over inflation and the rising cost of living seems to be spreading across Europe. In France, Spain and Italy, young people are turning out in large numbers against government policies. Tension in schools and colleges and clashes with police have added considerably to the Meloni government's difficulties. The organisations behind the protests have warned that if the government does not take concrete steps in the coming days to rein in prices and improve the education system, the movement will intensify across the country.