ROME, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of workers across Italy staged a 24-hour national strike on Friday, disrupting public transport, schools and other key services to protest the government's draft budget for 2026.
The strike was called by Italy's largest trade union, the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), in opposition to the 18-billion-euro (21.1 billion U.S. dollars) budget package approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet in mid-October.
The draft budget still requires approval by both chambers of parliament by the end of the year and may be amended during the legislative process.
Friday's work stoppage partially disrupted most public sectors, including education, healthcare, local transport and postal services, as well as operations at several private companies.
According to the organizers, about 500,000 people took to the streets nationwide, the ANSA news agency reported.
Demonstrations were held in dozens of cities, with major rallies staged in Rome, Milan, Bologna and Florence. In Florence, CGIL leader Maurizio Landini addressed an estimated crowd of 100,000, calling on the government to strengthen fiscal and financial measures to support working-class families, pensioners and young people, and to expand access to affordable public housing and transport services.
The draft budget is currently under review by the Senate's finance committee and will then move to the full chamber for debate and a vote, before being examined by the lower house. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar)
