Italy Shaken by Protests and Strikes... From Logistics Disruptions to Panic Buying

Italy is struggling with disruptions as widespread worker strikes add to anti-government protests against high inflation and other issues.

According to local media outlets such as ANSA on the 21st (local time), truck drivers in Italy have been staging protests in and around Naples for a week to protest surging fuel prices.

Diesel prices in Italy are currently about 30% higher than before the Middle East crisis.

A temporary reduction in the diesel tax ended earlier this month.

The protesting truck drivers completely blocked the loading and unloading of fresh food and other goods at supermarket logistics warehouses near Naples.

With some panic buying added to the mix, shelves at certain supermarkets in the Naples region have begun to empty out.

Inventories of pasta, meat, and agricultural products have reportedly been depleted in Sicily as well.

Fuel shortages have also been observed at some gas stations.

Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, met with freight transport associations the previous day to discuss tax credits and transport fee support.

Employees at Milan's La Scala, one of the world's top five opera houses, have also been on strike since the 12th, demanding higher wages and better treatment.

As the strike continues, scheduled performances such as the opera "Faust" have been canceled, causing disruptions.

In Milan, protests against high inflation and other issues turned violent and led to looting, prompting a decision to deploy 500 troops.

A group called the "October 17 Movement" announced on social media, "We will continue our protests every Saturday until the thieving government collapses."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.