Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned anti-Olympics protesters as “enemies of Italy” after clashes in Milan and sabotage on the national rail network disrupted travel on the first full day of competition at the Winter Games co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Police used water cannon to disperse crowds after parts of a demonstration in Italy’s financial capital turned violent last night. An estimated 10,000 people took to the streets over housing costs and environmental concerns linked to the Games, authorities said. Police detained six people.
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Rail services were also hit after saboteurs damaged infrastructure near the northern city of Bologna, officials said. Police reported three separate incidents at different locations, causing delays of more than two hours on high-speed, Intercity and regional lines. No group has claimed responsibility for the damage.
In a message posted on Instagram this morning, Meloni praised the thousands of Italians “working to make the Games run smoothly and present a positive face of Italy,” while lashing out at those she said were tarnishing the country’s image. “Then there are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians, demonstrating ‘against the Olympics’ and ensuring that these images are broadcast on television screens around the world. After others cut the railway cables to prevent trains from departing,” she wrote.
“Once again, solidarity with the police, the city of Milan, and all those who will see their work undermined by these gangs of criminals,” added Meloni, who leads a right-wing coalition government.
The unrest comes as Milan settles into hosting duties with Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Alpine resort, for the Winter Games. Organizers and city officials have framed the event as an opportunity to showcase Italy’s capabilities and to spur investment, while activists have warned of soaring rents, displacement and long-term environmental damage tied to construction and transport projects.
Saturday’s demonstration began peacefully before scuffles broke out on its fringes, with some protesters advancing behind banners and lighting flares as police moved in. There were no immediate reports from authorities on injuries.
The rail disruptions intensified pressure on a country navigating both the logistical demands of a global sporting event and domestic discontent over its costs. The multiple incidents near Bologna rippled across northern routes, snarling travel for spectators, athletes and commuters. Operators warned of knock-on delays as inspections and repairs continued.
Security has been a growing political flashpoint. The government recently expanded police arrest powers following violence last weekend at a hard-left protest in Turin, where more than 100 officers were injured. The new measures have drawn scrutiny from civil liberties groups but won strong backing from Meloni and her allies, who have cast the crackdown as essential to safeguarding public order during the Games.
Authorities said they were monitoring for further disruptions and pledged a robust response to any attempts to sabotage infrastructure or hijack demonstrations. City officials urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and called for dialogue on housing and environmental concerns, even as they stressed that violence and vandalism would be prosecuted.
The disturbances unfolded just as competition fully ramped up, testing transport networks and security plans designed to keep events on schedule and the spotlight on sport. With global cameras trained on Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the government’s challenge now is to contain unrest without inflaming tensions—and to ensure the Games proceed without further disruption.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
