Thousands of people marched in Rome on Saturday to protest against the war in the Middle East and proposed reforms to Italy’s judicial system.
Demonstrators gathered in the Italian capital carrying trade union banners as well as Palestinian and Cuban flags, chanting slogans against the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The rally ended peacefully after protesters marched through central Rome calling on the government to resign.
“The United States and Israel are destroying any form of coexistence dictated by international law,” protester Sandra Paganini told reporters. “They are dragging us towards a world war in which they are targeting completely innocent people who have done nothing wrong, intervening and destroying nations,” she said.
Referendum becomes political test
The protest comes ahead of a national referendum scheduled for 22–23 March on reforms to the judicial system proposed by Meloni’s government.
The vote has become a major political test for the prime minister, whose coalition faces a general election next year.
Meloni and her allies say the reforms are needed to address long-standing problems in Italy’s justice system, including slow court proceedings and declining public confidence in judicial institutions.
“If justice doesn’t work, if it’s slow, if it’s inefficient, if it’s unfair, then the whole machine gets stuck and everyone pays the consequences,” Meloni said during a campaign speech in Milan earlier this week.
Opposition parties and critics, however, argue that the proposed changes could undermine judicial independence and increase political influence over judges. The dispute has intensified an already fraught relationship between the government and parts of the judiciary.
Middle East tensions fuel protests
Saturday’s demonstration also reflected growing public concern over the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel following large-scale air strikes launched on 28 February targeting Iranian military facilities and senior officials.
The attacks triggered retaliatory strikes and heightened tensions across the region, with the conflict also affecting global markets and diplomatic relations.
Similar protests have taken place across Europe in recent days. In Madrid, thousands of people gathered on Saturday in rallies organised by civic groups calling for an end to the fighting and expressing solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict.
Demonstrations were also reported earlier this week in Athens and other cities across Greece.
