Italy: Strike against Meloni: Unions mobilize

With a nationwide strike, the unions in Italy have mobilized against the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. There were major disruptions in many cities. Authorities and state-owned companies, but also private companies, were primarily affected. The strikes took place, among other things, in schools, hospitals, the post office and at toll booths on the motorway. Public transport was idle for hours in the morning. Flights were also canceled. Tens of thousands also took to the streets in various cities for rallies.

The protest – declared a “general strike” – was directed against the budget plans of Meloni’s government from three right-wing and conservative parties. The trade union federation CGIL described their planned cuts and austerity measures as “completely inadequate to solve the country’s problems”. The unions are demanding higher wages and pensions as well as more money for health, education and the public service as a whole.

Despite protests, Meloni is not in danger in office

The EU founding member Italy is one of the countries with the highest debt burden in the world. According to forecasts, national debt will rise to around three trillion euros this year. Meloni has set itself the goal of not allowing the debt to get out of hand. The leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) has been in government for two years. The largely left-wing trade unions fundamentally disagree with their course.

Despite increasing disputes between the two smaller coalition partners Lega and Forza Italia, Meloni’s position is not at risk. She and her party are also ahead in the polls. Today, the Fratelli boss is already one of the heads of government with the longest term in Italy. Meloni has committed to serving the entire five-year term. Her government is currently one of the most stable in Europe.

Trade unions accuse the right-wing government of undermining the right to strike

Local public transport was particularly affected, where an eight-hour strike was originally planned. However, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini prevailed over the unions with a regulation that requires operations to run normally during peak hours in the morning and evening. That left it at four hours. In other areas of the public sector, strikes were permitted throughout the day. Operations were normal at the beginning of the weekend at the railway, where there had already been a strike a few days ago.

The decree by Lega chairman Salvini caused additional outrage among the unions. The CGIL accused the government of questioning the right to strike as one of the basic democratic rights. In the northern Italian city of Turin, there were clashes between demonstrators and the police on the sidelines of the protests, as the Ansa news agency reported. The police also used tear gas.