Italian PM Condemns Protesters Disrupting Winter Olympics in Milan

RunWithRugs · 2026-03-17T05:06:05+00:00

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned anti-Olympics protesters as "enemies of Italy" after violent clashes in Milan. Around 10,000 demonstrated against the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, voicing environmental and economic concerns, while police responded forcefully to disturbances.

RunWithRugs

2026-03-17 05:06:05

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(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply condemned demonstrators and saboteurs opposing the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, calling them “enemies of Italy” following violent incidents in Milan and disruptions to the national rail network, according to reports.

On Saturday, roughly 10,000 people marched through Milan to protest the Games, citing environmental and economic concerns. The protesters also voiced opposition to the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel assisting with security for visiting American officials.

A smaller group of approximately 100 individuals later split from the main march, clashing with police officers, who used water cannons and tear gas to restore order.

In an Instagram statement posted Sunday, Meloni contrasted the efforts of volunteers supporting the event with those causing unrest. “Then there are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians,” she wrote, referring to the protesters and rail saboteurs, while expressing support for police and workers “whose work will be undermined by these gangs of criminals.”

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