World·Italy

Unrest spreads to Italy: Meloni condemns 'gangs of thugs' after violent protests in Milan, Bologna and Turin

Published 5:00 PM CT, Sunday, October 18, 2026 · Updated 5:12 PM CT
In the 5 PM CT update

Protests organized Saturday by Italy's CGIL labor union turned violent in several cities, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned 'gangs of thugs' who exploit demonstrations while backing police, Fox News reported. In Milan, 50 demonstrators, including minors, were detained and at least two officers hurt as rioters looted stores in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the AP reported; Reuters said 56 officers were injured in Bologna, and Italy's interior ministry said about 100 officers were hurt and around 30 arrests were made in Turin. 'Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,' Meloni wrote.

• Italy
• Giorgia Meloni
• Riots
• Milan
• Bologna
• Turin
• CGIL
• Police
• Law and order
• Europe unrest