A massive demonstration took place in Rome on Saturday, organized by the Five Star Movement in protest against the European Commission’s proposed €800 billion rearmament plan. The march began at Piazza Vittorio and ended on Via dei Fori Imperiali. According to organizers, up to 100,000 people took part.
Protesters chanted, “We need new hospitals, not rockets.” Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement and former Prime Minister, sharply criticized both the rearmament plan and the government of Giorgia Meloni, accusing it of silently endorsing Ursula von der Leyen’s initiative.
Members of other opposition forces — including the Green-Left Alliance and the Democratic Party — also joined the protest, although Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein did not attend, citing disagreements with some of the protest’s positions. Centrist parties did not participate.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the demonstration, noting that Conte himself increased defense spending while in office. Tajani emphasized that “security means protecting our borders, economy, and citizens — not arming ourselves for imaginary wars.”
