Thousands protest EU rearmament plan in Rome PHOTO

On April 5, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Rome to protest the European Commission's proposed rearmament plan, in a rally organized by Italy’s Five Star Movement. 

The mass protest was aimed at denouncing the policies of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Caliber.Az reports, citing European media sources.

The demonstration began in Piazza Vittorio and proceeded through the capital to the iconic Via dei Fori Imperiali, where political leaders, activists, journalists, and cultural figures addressed the crowd. At the forefront of the procession, a large banner declared: “No to rearmament. Let’s stop them,” as protesters waved rainbow-colored peace flags and chanted slogans against the government’s defense policies.

One of the chants that echoed through the streets was, “Meloni and Crosetto, take off your helmets!”—a direct rebuke of Prime Minister Meloni and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto’s support for military buildup.

Five Star Movement leader and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte led the protest, sharply criticizing the European Union’s increasing militarization and the Meloni government’s alignment with the rearmament strategy. Conte warned that the reallocation of resources to military spending risked sidelining social welfare, environmental goals, and the needs of ordinary citizens.

Organizers described the turnout as “unexpected and beyond all expectations,” with internal sources from the Five Star Movement estimating attendance could reach as high as 100,000.

Recently, ​the European Union has initiated a comprehensive plan to enhance its defense capabilities, aiming to reduce reliance on external military support and address emerging security challenges. This initiative, known as the "ReArm Europe" plan, seeks to mobilize up to €800 billion in additional defense spending over the coming years. ​

The plan proposes activating the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact, allowing Member States to increase defense spending. A 1.5% GDP increase in defense budgets could create nearly €650 billion in fiscal space over four years. ​

By Khagan Isayev