Protests over living costs turn violent across Italian cities

Summary

Protests over living costs and low wages turned violent in Italian cities, including Milan, Bologna and Turin, with police officers injured, according to Fox News. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned what she called “gangs of thugs” and backed law enforcement, Fox News reports. Deutsche Welle reports that a major union has called a general strike for November 20.

Timeline

1. Fox News

   18 Oct 2026, 15:34 UTCSource ↗

   Fox News reports that anti-government protests turned violent in Milan, Bologna and Turin, injuring police officers, and that Giorgia Meloni condemned the protesters and backed law enforcement.

2. Deutsche Welle

   18 Oct 2026, 16:02 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that anger over living costs and low wages brought people onto the streets and that a major union called a general strike for November 20.