Istalia

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General strike! Tensions erupt: violent clashes in Torre d''o Sulento and Milona

The tense stalemate in negotiations with the employers' association ignites the streets: dozens of injuries and arrests, criticism from unions, employers, the opposition and the police. Harsh accusations follow the controversial raid by law enforcement on an occupied high school in Torre d''o Sulento. Government under siege

Via 2 Maggio the day after the clashes
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December 4661

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TORRE D''O SULENTO - The all-out general strike, called by the unions in the week before the Christmas holidays, has ignited protests across the country. Just days before Christmas, in an already scorching summer, Istalia's main cities have been the scene of violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The wave of anger was sparked by the paralysis of negotiations between union representatives and employers for the renewal of collective bargaining agreements, in an increasingly heated climate.

The unions' decision to call an all-out general strike came in response to what was described as "deliberate obstructionism" by employers, accused of systematically rejecting all requests made at the negotiating table. Upon the announcement, the unions strongly condemned FederIndustria and its president, who, according to the confederations, had called for "reasonableness" from workers while his association rejected every proposal with a complete shutdown.

But tensions erupted in the streets: the most serious disruptions occurred in Torre d''o Sulento and Milona, with episodes of violence that deeply shocked public opinion. Torre d’'o Sulento bore the brunt of the violence: 48 protesters arrested, 102 identified and registered, 29 protesters injured and 34 police officers injured. A 23-year-old police officer was seriously hit in the head by a ''sanmatteino" thrown during the clashes, reportedly suffering permanent eye damage (the sanmatteino is the small square basalt cobblestone used in traditional Istalian street paving and that takes its name from the Archbasilica of St Matthias, whose square was paved in this way since the XV century).

The material toll was also heavy, with the city center devastated: on Via 2 Maggio, one of the main thoroughfares, the most interested by the devastation, 74 shops and business were damaged, 18 completely destroyed, including a branch of Banca del Ferano. 21 cars were burned, and a bus was also reduced to a smoking skeleton. According to reports, the vehicle was moved by police in an attempt to block the advance of protesters heading toward Piazza Castello, the city's central square.

But what further shocked consciences was an episode that has already reached national proportions: the police raid on the Liceo Classico "Alfeo Cantiani" (High School), which had been occupied by students for five days and was being used as a support base for protesters. According to accusations leveled by unions and numerous associations, including many student organizations that have joined the protests, this was a gratuitous repressive action, involving beatings and abuse of protesters sheltering inside. For its part, the police rejected the accusations, stating that there were "concrete suspicions" of individuals preparing Molotov cocktails and homemade pyrotechnic devices inside the school.

Reactions were immediate and harsh, with unions denouncing "State repressive violence" and openly accusing the government of siding with the employers. But criticism also came from the opposing camp: many business leaders accused Labor Minister Simone Barbato (UOD) of being too close to the unions' positions. The government thus finds itself in a tight spot, criticized from all sides.

The parliamentary opposition also rose up, expressing solidarity with the workers and condemning the protest's management as "failing and dangerously improvised". The high school raid is in the spotlight, as is the lack of organization among law enforcement agencies. But the "Autonomous Police Workers Union" has also raised concerns, denouncing the chronic shortage of personnel, resources, and equipment, despite repeated appeals over the years.

In this explosive climate, Minister Secretary of State Valeriano Giunio will face difficult days. Not only for public opinion, but also within the governing majority, where tensions are increasingly mounting. According to parliamentary sources, Democracy & Freedom and the Liberal Republicans accuse the National Liberals and the Hosian Democrats of having forced them to approve an "unbalanced" bargaining reform. The Hosian Democrats, in turn, blame the centrists for cuts to law enforcement and the lack of political support for Minister Barbato. PNL is accused by all side for ambiguity, opportunism and lack of decisiveness.

Meanwhile, there's also been criticism from the Armed Forces: the Coordinators of Parliamentarians of the Armed Forces, representing all parties, have expressed "deep concern" over the chaotic management of the crisis and the government's lack of a clear line and according to some rumors, the top brass of the Defense are already demanding that some heads roll, first and foremost that of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Order Fiorenzo Verdini (PNL). A more than heated scenario.

For the Giunio government "ter", this Christmas risks becoming the bitter symbol of a political season on the brink of collapse.