Thousands protest in Rome against EU rearmament (VIDEOS)

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Rome on Saturday to protest the militarization of the EU.

The rally was led by the Five Star Movement (M5S) political party and its leader, former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, in protest at the bloc’s plan to use up to €800 billion ($875 billion) to boost the military industrial complex in the European Union.

“No to rearmament! Let’s stop them,” Conte announced on his X account.

“Today a great alternative to the Italy of rearmament, of cuts to healthcare, schools, businesses is born. We will stop them. All together,” he wrote.

In videos posted by the politician, a crowd of thousands of people could be seen marching through the streets of Rome, waving Italian flags and banners with slogans such as “Enough money for weapons” and “No to rearmament.”

The organizers of the protest addressed the crowd from a stage set up on the Via dei Fori Imperiali.

“This European plan does not envisage a common defense, but only new cuts in school, health, and work. It’s madness without strategy and vision,” Conte said on stage, addressing the crowd, according to outlet La Milano.

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The newspaper reported that a delegation from the Italian Democratic Party also participated in the protest, although in fewer numbers.

Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a massive rearmament plan, intending to draw on up to €800 billion in debt and tax breaks. The so-called ReArm plan is aimed at countering an alleged threat from Russia, an idea that Moscow has dismissed as groundless.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has supported the plan. However, it has reportedly put her at odds with other members of her ruling center-right coalition.