Italy: Thousands protest rising living costs and defence spending in general strike

Loading the video No Comment Video. Italy: Thousands protest rising living costs and defence spending in general strike Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 30 October 2026 - 14:26 GMT+1 Thousands of protesters marched through Rome, Italy, on Friday, 30 October, during a general strike called by the left-wing Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union. Demonstrators gathered near Termini railway station before setting off from Piazza dei Cinquecento at around 10.40 am, led by a large banner denouncing those accused of profiting from workers' labour while jeopardising their future. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Dancers performed in front of the banner as the procession began, with tractors and a taxi following behind. Firefighters, farmers, students and other demonstrators joined the march, carrying placards and banners through the Italian capital. The protest brought together several groups voicing frustration over the government's economic and spending priorities. Students have been demonstrating for weeks, demanding greater investment in schools and more support for housing, while farmers and truck drivers have protested against rising fuel prices and the cost of living. Increased defence spending has also become a focus of opposition among demonstrators, who are calling for public resources to be directed towards social needs. The USB-led mobilisation brought these demands together in the streets of Rome, with younger protesters marching alongside workers and agricultural representatives. Italy Strike Trade unions cost of living Students Farmers Top stories Now playing Next Italy: Thousands protest rising living costs and defence spending in general strike Now playing Next Indonesia: nine orangutans rescued from wildfires return to the forest Now playing Next US: flowers laid at Patrick Stewart's Hollywood star after his death Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 30th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Palestinian party leader: Removing Netanyahu 'most important thing’ Now playing Next Cameroonian families call for repatriation of relatives from Ukraine Now playing Next EU countries pledge 20.5mn diesel barrels as winter supply fears grow Now playing Next Spain train crash: What happened in the 17 minutes before impact? Now playing Next EU and Canada to seal broader, deeper alliance in Trump's long shadow Now playing Next In Pompeii, a woman's wardrobe resurfaces with beauty items and jewels Now playing Next EU energy ministers push back against new gas tax plans Now playing Next Oleshky truce holds in Ukraine, Albania imposes fines on protesters Now playing Next 'You look like hell': Trump berates reporter who asks if he is tired of campaigning Now playing Next US: Trump hands out sweets as Air Force One soars overhead Now playing Next Oleshky ceasefire will not bring wider truce with Russia, former Ukrainian PM warns Now playing Next Mexico: world's tallest Catrina unveiled for Día de Muertos in Mexico City ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment DR Congo: MSF celebrates Ebola patient discharges in Ituri province No Comment Ukraine: Russian strike kills two teenage girls in Chernihiv No Comment Spain: minute of silence for train crash victims as king visits hospital No Comment Vatican: Century of Mercedes-Benz popemobiles goes on display Israel Netanyahu bloc first but without majority as Arab parties hold balance of power in Israel election Europe Today Europe Today: Rare Oleshky truce holds in Ukraine, Albania imposes heavy fines on protesters Lifestyle The new time lord: Wei Koh on his first year as GPHG jury president EU News EU and Canada to seal broader, deeper alliance in Trump's long shadow Markets Largest bank heist in history: Binance hack rocks crypto industry Sport The World Judo Tour returns to Abu Dhabi with Day 1 wins Culture news Actor Patrick Stewart, star of 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men', dies aged 86 Europe News EU peacekeeping helicopter crash in Bosnia kills at least four ADVERTISEMENT Europe News EU countries push back against Brussels plan to tax gas more than electricity Europe News German serial rapist sentenced to 12 years as police investigate 44 more cases Europe News Palestinian President Abbas signals readiness for talks with Israel, seeks Cyprus mediation EU News Brussels hopes unspent defence loans may help plug Ukraine’s budget hole Business ‘I’m not a candidate for anything’: What Lagarde told Euronews before quitting the ECB No Comment Albania: opposition MPs disrupt parliament with smoke flares No Comment Rembrandt's masterpieces become tattoos in the Netherlands World News JD Vance contacts senior Iranian official in bid to revive peace talks ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT