Italy Strike against Meloni's budget plans

A strike has begun in Italy against the budget plans of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government, which has been in power for two years.

The work stoppages are mainly affecting the public sector with its many authorities: There will be strikes in schools, hospitals, the post office and at highway toll booths, among others. Work is to be suspended for four hours on local public transport and in air traffic.

The protest - declared a "general strike" - is directed against the Meloni government's draft budget. The CGIL trade union federation described the planned cuts and austerity measures as "completely inadequate to solve the country's problems". The unions are demanding higher wages and pensions as well as more money for health, education and the public sector as a whole.

Government wants to reduce public debt

The coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties cites reducing the national debt as its most important goal. According to forecasts, the national debt of the EU founding member state will rise to around three trillion euros this year. This makes Italy one of the countries with the highest debt ratio in the world.

Originally, the strike was supposed to last even longer. However, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini from the right-wing Lega party prevailed over the trade unions with a decree according to which strikes are not permitted on local public transport during peak hours in the mornings and evenings. The decision was confirmed by a court. However, an eight-hour strike was permitted in other areas of the public sector.

SDA