Italy’s largest union brings 200,000 to Rome for work, democracy protest
Summary
Workers, retirees, and young people filled the streets to call for a fairer Italy – one founded on the dignity of work and democratic participation.
Over 200,000 people took part on Saturday, 25 October 2025, in the national demonstration “Democracy at Work”, held in Piazza San Giovanni, Rome. The event was organised by the CGIL, Italy’s largest trade union confederation.
Workers, retirees, and young people filled the streets to call for a fairer Italy – one founded on the dignity of work and democratic participation.
From the stage, CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini highlighted the union’s role as a force for representation and social cohesion, stressing the urgent need for policies that put jobs, wages, and safety back at the centre. Alongside him, Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), brought the voice of the global labour movement, emphasising that the defence of rights and workplace democracy knows no borders.
At the core of the mobilisation were key demands: the renewal of collective agreements, the fight against precarious work, greater investment in public health and education, and a fairer tax reform. The CGIL also expressed concern over Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s 2026 budgetary measures, warning that they could deepen inequality and cut funding for welfare and culture.
“Democracy at Work was a day of participation and proposals – for an Italy that truly belongs to everyone,” the organiser said in a statement sent to Financial Nigeria.
Some protesters accused the government of pushing new budget proposals that will drive up its military spending whilst enacting severe austerity cuts against the working class.
A general strike against the government is being planned for the 28th of November against the budget and “the imperialist warmongers.”
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