Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized individuals who disrupted protests in Milan, labeling them as “hooligans.” She responded to the violence that broke out in the city’s historic center.
“Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,” Meloni stated on social media, disapproving the assaults on police and the city’s destruction.
The clashes occurred after a protest on Saturday against wars and rising living costs intensified. Masked individuals threw objects at police officers and ignited fires.
The unrest primarily took place in Piazza del Duomo, a square adjacent to Milan’s renowned Gothic cathedral, and the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, known for its upscale boutiques.
Giuseppe Sala, Milan’s center-left mayor, acknowledged the protesters’ grievances but condemned the violence against law enforcement and the damage caused to the city.
This situation is still developing and further updates will be provided.