New Wave of Protests and Strikes Erupt in Italy Over Cost of Living

On October 30, 2026, tens of thousands of protesters, mainly students and workers, took to the streets in more than 50 Italian cities to demand higher wages, better public services, relief from soaring living costs, and opposition to increased military spending. In Rome alone, about 20,000 demonstrators gathered near Termini railway station before marching through the city under heavy police presence. The protests were particularly focused on the cost of education and housing, with some students calling for more funding for schools. Security measures included deploying armoured vehicles around historical sites like the Colosseum to prevent potential clashes.