Italy: Students and workers rally over living costs

Tens of thousands of students and workers marched across Italy on Friday, demanding more education funding and relief from rising living costs.

The rallies followed weeks of student tent camps and school occupations, with a general strike bringing workers into the streets alongside them.

Demonstrations took place in dozens of cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Genoa and Naples. Police were deployed in large numbers after earlier protests descended into rioting.

Demonstrators criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government over low wages, rising fuel prices and military spending. Students demanded more money for schools and universities.

In Rome, university student Beatrice Chilelli said students were "at a breaking point."

"They can't afford to pay exorbitant tuition fees, and rent... which weighs heavily on their parents' shoulders," the 21-year-old told AFP.

The USB trade union called a general strike, with truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers among those joining the protests. Disruption to public transport remained limited on Friday morning.

Thousands marched from Rome's Termini station past the Colosseum, accompanied by two tractors and a taxi. "We need more houses, not bombs!" one group chanted.

Minor scuffles broke out between demonstrators and riot police in Turin at the start of the march. No major clashes had been reported by midday.

In Milan, the procession headed away from the city center, where rioters looted shops, damaged property and clashed with police after a cost-of-living demonstration two weeks earlier.

Authorities also increased protection around landmarks, including Rome's Colosseum and Milan's cathedral.

The student protests have drawn momentum from similar movements in France and Spain. Teachers, retirees and other workers also joined Friday's rallies.