Italians protest against EU rearmament plan
As many as 100,000 people took to the streets of the Italian capital, Rome, to stage a demonstration against the European Commission's proposed costly rearmament plan.
The initiative, organized by the opposition party Five Star Movement, condemned Italy's Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni's government and European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen's rearmament plan, slamming the two leaders as warmongers.
They have been playing us all along.
They told us that we had to defend Ukraine, to defend Europe's freedom and territorial integrity.
Dear Prime Minister Meloni, when it comes to Gaza, you simply turn away, pretending nothing is going on.
Antonio Conte, Former Prime Minister of Italy
The demonstration was also attended by other opposition parties, including the Greens and Left Alliance and a delegation from the Democratic Party.
Brussels has opted to rearm itself following the recent overwhelming geopolitical challenges.
The EU's rearmament plan aims to mobilize around 800 billion euros over the next four years, the bulk of which will come from member states increasing their national spending on military equipment.
The European Union is seen as an entity that, throughout two decades, has largely impoverished the European middle class by adopting oppressive fiscal rules and promoting national economic policies, which the protestors assert has led to painful cuts in social spending and investments.
For sure such a large expense will lead to more cuts to our struggling education and health systems. It's unacceptable.
Protestor 01
Europe is no longer defending its democratic principles. The European Commission is rather advocating for private interests, in my opinion.
Protestor 02
Europe has lost political significance over the past 20 years. This is because it's been completely subjected to the US influence, supporting NATO's expansion, and, all regime change operations in West Asia.
Protestor 03
Criticism of Rome's demonstration came from Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani.
On Saturday, Tajani said making citizens safer is the Italian government's priority.
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