Nationwide Strike in Italy Challenges Meloni’s Budget Plans

Italian unions protest government austerity measures, demanding increased public funding and worker benefits.

Italian unions staged a nationwide strike targeting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's proposed budget cuts and austerity measures.
The strike disrupted public services, including schools, hospitals, transportation, and postal services, with significant impacts on daily life.
Unions criticized the government’s plans as insufficient to address Italy's economic challenges and called for higher wages, pensions, and increased funding for health, education, and public services.
Italy’s right-wing coalition government, led by Meloni, aims to reduce the country’s soaring national debt, which is projected to reach €3 trillion this year.
Tensions escalated as a government decree limited strike hours in public transportation, leading to accusations that the administration is undermining workers' rights.