Thousands took to the streets in Italy and Spain on Saturday to protest ongoing Middle East conflicts and Italy’s proposed judicial changes. The demonstrations come as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni faces a crucial referendum on court reforms that could determine her political future.
ROME — Large crowds gathered across Italy and Spain on Saturday to voice opposition to Middle East military actions and Italy’s proposed changes to its court system, creating a dual protest movement that highlights both international and domestic political tensions.
Italy’s upcoming March 22-23 national vote on judicial system modifications has transformed into a critical political challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, which must face voters again next year. What began as a policy discussion about legal system changes has expanded into a wider political clash between Meloni and opposition forces.
Demonstrators in Rome’s city center carried red labor union flags alongside Palestinian and Cuban banners, shouting “Meloni government, resign” during the peaceful gathering.
Protester Sandra Paganini expressed her concerns about international conflicts, stating: “The United States and Israel are destroying any form of coexistence dictated by international law.”
“They are dragging us towards a world war in which they are targeting completely innocent people who have done nothing wrong, intervening and destroying nations,” Paganini added.
Prime Minister Meloni maintains that judicial modifications are essential to address Italy’s long-standing court backlogs and rebuild citizen trust in the legal framework. Critics counter that these proposals might compromise judicial autonomy and expose judges to political pressure.
The upcoming vote has evolved into a significant political evaluation of Meloni’s leadership, prompting her to actively participate in campaigning this week.
During a Thursday campaign event in Milan, Meloni declared: “If justice doesn’t work, if it’s slow, if it’s inefficient, if it’s unfair, then the whole machine gets stuck and everyone pays the consequences.”
Anti-conflict demonstrations have intensified following February 28th’s extensive U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, which targeted defense installations and key officials, prompting counter-attacks that have disrupted international financial markets.
Similar rallies occurred throughout Spain on Saturday, with civic organization coalitions coordinating events in numerous cities demanding Middle East conflict resolution. Madrid saw thousands of participants chanting anti-war messages while showing support for affected civilian populations.
Earlier this week, comparable demonstrations took place in Athens and other Greek cities.