Symbolic imageProtests over prices and youth prospects reach Italy and Germany after French unrest
Hundreds of thousands marched in Italy on Friday during a union strike day. Germany's 'Gen Z regelt' rallies follow on Saturday.
The union USB called a nationwide protest day on Friday, 30 October, with rallies in more than 50 cities. Handelsblatt cites independent estimates of more than 200,000 participants, around 50,000 each in Rome and Bologna; USB claimed over a million, which authorities did not confirm. Protesters blamed Giorgia Meloni's coalition for inflation (5.4 percent this month, preliminary), low wages and arms spending. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini had banned transport strikes before All Saints' Day, so Handelsblatt says it was no general strike. Molotov cocktails flew at the Colosseum, with scuffles in Turin.
Germany braces for Saturday
'Gen Z regelt' expects more than 160,000 people in 34 cities, FAZ reports. Douglas keeps twelve stores closed. The only person named in the imprint, who gives the name Akram Selo, says the group itself runs just four of the demonstrations.
Warnings and dialogue offer
The BKA sees no signs of French-style violence, but North Rhine-Westphalia's domestic intelligence service says left-wing extremist actors are also mobilising. Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) urged protesters to stay nonviolent and offered dialogue.