Bologna Mayor calls for government dialogue following violent protests

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore has called for urgent dialogue with the Italian government following violent demonstrations in Bologna and other major cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples. Speaking at a city council meeting, Lepore criticized the reliance on police repression, stating that such measures are a “weak choice in the face of social anger” as the country’s social pact weakens.

The protests, which occurred on October 17 and 24, involved clashes between demonstrators and police, the use of water cannons, and acts of vandalism such as burning trash bins to create barricades. A 21-year-old man has filed a complaint against the police, alleging he suffered a broken nose due to officer violence during an arrest on October 17.

Lepore, alongside mayors of major metropolitan areas, emphasized that the unrest is driven by concerns over the cost of living, housing, energy, and transport. He noted that local municipalities are facing severe financial pressures and requested a billion-euro allocation to help cities maintain essential services amidst rising costs.