Overview
- Unions reported more than two million participants across over 100 cities, while the Interior Ministry counted about 396,400 and recorded 55 police injured between Thursday and Friday.
- Demonstrators blocked ports, highways and rail lines, entered Pisa airport’s runway area, occupied tracks in Genoa, and in Rome the march route was extended due to what police described as extraordinary participation.
- Vicepremier Matteo Salvini called the stoppage illegitimate based on strike-notice rules, floated tougher penalties and a deposit system for organizers, and said future actions will face sanctions; the government did not proceed with precettazione.
- Opposition leaders including Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte joined marches, defended the constitutional right to strike, and pressed for the release of Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained by Israel after the interception in international waters.
- The Reggio Emilia awards row continued as Mayor Marco Massari stood by honoring UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who later expressed regret for not shielding him but reiterated that ending the genocide must be tied to freeing all hostages, including Palestinian detainees; a larger national rally is set for Saturday in Rome under tight security.