Meloni backs police after cost-of-living protests turn violent in Italian cities

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday condemned rioting during cost-of-living protests, expressing solidarity with police after clashes in several cities. The violence broke out during cost-of-living demonstrations on Saturday, leaving at least four police officers and 20 demonstrators injured in Milan. The unrest comes amid anger over high prices, stagnant real wages and a shortage of affordable housing in major cities. In Milan, black-clad, masked youths threw fireworks and bottles at police and erected barricades in the central Piazza Duomo, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Police initially withdrew to await reinforcements and later used tear gas to clear the square.