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Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni is backing the EU’s proposal to allocate up to €800 billion for military spending.
On Saturday, thousands of protesters gathered in Rome to voice their opposition to the increasing militarization of the EU.
The demonstration was spearheaded by the Five Star Movement (M5S), led by former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who decried the EU’s plan to potentially spend up to €800 billion ($875 billion) on bolstering the military-industrial sector within the Union.
“No to rearmament! Let’s stop them,” Conte declared on his X account.
“Today, a strong alternative emerges, opposing Italy’s rearmament and the cuts to healthcare, education, and businesses. We will stop them. Together,” he posted.
Videos shared by Conte showed a large crowd marching through Rome, displaying Italian flags and banners with messages like “Enough money for weapons” and “No to rearmament.”
No al Riarmo. Forte e chiaro.
— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT)
Protest organizers addressed the assembled crowd from a stage erected on the Via dei Fori Imperiali.
No al Riarmo. Forte e chiaro.
— MC (@Virus1979C)
According to La Milano, Conte stated on stage that “This European plan doesn’t outline a common defense strategy; instead, it only brings about further cuts to education, healthcare, and employment. It is a senseless move, lacking both strategy and vision.”
The Italian Democratic Party also sent a delegation to participate in the protest, although their presence was smaller in scale, the newspaper noted.
Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a significant rearmament initiative, potentially utilizing up to €800 billion through debt and tax incentives. This “ReArm” plan is intended to address a perceived threat from Russia, which Moscow has dismissed as unfounded.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her support for the plan, but it has reportedly caused friction with other members of her center-right governing coalition.