In Milan, a demonstration over the weekend against wars and the rising cost of living also descended into clashes between protesters and police.
Photos showed chaotic scenes around Piazza del Duomo, the landmark central square outside the Milan Cathedral and one of the city’s busiest tourist areas, with looters damaging shop fronts and setting objects on fire.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence in a post on X on Sunday.
“Thugs who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those who ensure security, and hold entire cities hostage,” she wrote. “Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not.”
The demonstrations were also held in other cities across northern Italy. Police estimates reported by Rai News, Italy’s public broadcaster put turnout at about 5,000 in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 600 in Brescia, and 800 in Bergamo.
Italy’s annual inflation rate jumped to 4.1% in September, up from 3.2% in August.
In Milan, home prices have also climbed: residential asking prices were 49% higher in September than in 2018, according to the property portal Immobiliare.it.
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