ROME — Tens of thousands of people took part in rival anti-migration and pro-migration demonstrations in Rome on Saturday, highlighting deep divisions in Italy over immigration policy after a controversial citizens’ initiative on migration gathered enough support to be considered by parliament.
The demonstrations were held in different parts of the Italian capital under a heavy police presence. Authorities reported no major incidents, and the rallies remained largely peaceful despite tensions between opposing groups.
The protests were triggered by a petition promoted by a far-right initiative known as “Remigration and Reconquest,” which collected the 50,000 signatures required under Italian procedures to bring the proposal before parliament for discussion. No date has been announced for a parliamentary debate or vote, according to reports.
Organizers of the anti-migration rally called for tougher measures on immigration, including policies aimed at encouraging or requiring some migrants to leave Italy. Critics of the proposal, including opposition groups and legal advocates, have argued that some of its measures could affect legal residents and raise constitutional and anti-discrimination concerns.
On the other side, trade unions, anti-racism organizations, civil society groups and left-wing activists organized a larger counter-demonstration in support of migrants and against what they described as exclusionary policies. Participants carried banners opposing deportations and calling for equal treatment of migrants.
“Skin and sweat have the same color, no deportation,” read one banner carried by demonstrators at the pro-migration march, according to photographs and reports from the event.
The rallies took place as migration remains a major political issue in Italy and across Europe. Earlier this week, new European Union migration and asylum rules entered into force following years of negotiations among member states. The reforms aim to tighten border procedures and revise asylum processing across the bloc.
The issue also presents challenges for Italy’s right-wing governing coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose administration has combined efforts to curb irregular migration with programs intended to address labor shortages through legal migration channels, according to government policy statements cited in recent reports.
By Saturday evening, the demonstrations had concluded and police remained deployed in parts of the city. Officials reported no immediate changes to the parliamentary timetable for considering the migration proposal.
