Italy's PM Meloni Deploys Army Troops as Strikes and Blockades Expand

Port workers in Genoa, Livorno, and Trieste are preparing to shut down their facilities on Friday. This move joins a nationwide strike called by the Unione Sindacale di Base and other unions. The action targets high living costs and government military budgets. Tens of thousands of people are expected to march in Rome and Milan.

The unrest has intensified over the past few weeks. Masked protesters looted stores in Milan and threw objects at police earlier this month. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannons. On Saturday, demonstrators entered the Colosseum in Rome. In the south, farmers and truckers have blocked highways to protest rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the deployment of 500 army troops to Milan. They will serve alongside police until the end of 2026. Her administration has also introduced stricter penalties for rioters. The new legislation makes parents financially liable for children who engage in vandalism or looting.

Meloni stated that vandalism and theft are criminal acts, not protests. She previously expressed respect for peaceful demonstrators on social media. The government frames these measures as a return to law and order, a core principle of her administration.

Giovanna Di Matteo, a member of the Potere al Popolo! party, joined the demonstrations in Rome. She criticized the government for cutting welfare and services while increasing military spending. She said people cannot afford houses or gasoline under current conditions.

Italian police deployed riot brigades, drones, and helicopters for Friday's events. Similar protests are occurring across Europe. France saw severe rioting following student strikes. Tents have occupied a square in Madrid since late last month, and thousands marched in Lisbon. Tear gas was also used in Brussels.

The next major step is the Friday blockade of ports and the start of the Milan troop deployment. These actions aim to disrupt logistics while the government tests its new enforcement strategies against the unions.