Riots Breakout Across Italy Ahead Of General Election (And Markets Are Getting Anxious)

According to CNBC, here are the three leading candidates dominating the race:

• Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister and head of Forza Italia.
• Matteo Renzi, the embattled leader of the center-left Democratic Party (PD) and former prime minister who quit the post in 2016 after a referendum on constitutional reform failed.
• Luigi Di Maio, the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement’s (M5S) leader.

Last night in Pisa, Italy, anti-fascist protestors formed a counter-demonstration against Lega leader Matteo Salvini, who was speaking at the center of town. Anti-fascist groups threw glass bottles and rocks and attacked police officers as they tried to silence Salvini, a leading anti-EU political figure, before next week’s elections.

Italy, #Pisa #antifa protest against the visit of Lega far-right leader Salvini LIVE STREAM https://t.co/Wzad5gmsVg

— Professor Cuz (@ProfessorCuz) February 23, 2018

Insane video of Anti-fascist activists fighting with police last night in Pisa

Soros puppets meet Italian police.. pic.twitter.com/6k0uiiLCw6

— Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe) February 23, 2018

In the early hours of Saturday morning, riots have erupted on the streets as police and protesters have clashed in Pisa and Milan with massive marches expected in Rome later in the day, said the Daily Express.

Rome : la manifestation anti-fasciste arrive sur la place du peuple #Italie pic.twitter.com/BWPTWb0p5r

— François Beaudonnet (@beaudonnet) February 24, 2018

Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi is expected to visit an anti-fascist protest hosted by the Democratic Party in Rome. Preliminary reports indicate more than 20,000 people are expected to protest in just one march by the National Association of Italian Partisans (ANPI) and ’Mai piu fascismo’ (Fascism Never Again). There will also be three other protests planned in the Italian capital later in the day.

Police commissioner Guido Marino told the Daily Express: “We have two objectives – guarantee a high standard of counter-terrorism prevention and prevent violent groups from infiltrating the marches with negative consequences for order and security.”

Protestors from the National Association of Italian Partisans (ANPI) are currently underway in Rome…

Italy – A day of #antifascist agitation to protest against openly #fascist parties spreading their message of fear and intolerance.
The #Partisans Association #ANPI in #Rome right now. (Ph. @marimande2)#24febbraio #MaiPiuFascismi #Maipiurazzismi pic.twitter.com/ommWZtXVGj

— ANPI Brescia (@AnpiBrescia) February 24, 2018

Demonstrators from ’Mai piu fascismo’ (Fascism Never Again) are lining up for a rally in the heart of Rome.

Rome anti fascist march pic.twitter.com/z9F5vDx3T7

— mike cooper (@cooparia) February 24, 2018

“At the call of the left, thousands of people parade against fascism in Rome, in the rain but in good humour #AFP,” said one Twitter blogger.

A l’appel de la gauche, des milliers de personnes défilent contre le fascisme à Rome, sous la pluie mais dans la bonne humeur #AFP pic.twitter.com/XaHQPDa2sJ

— Fanny Carrier (@fannycarrier) February 24, 2018

“MFJ in #Rome on #siCobas March for immigrant & workers rights-against #razzismo& #Fascismo #24febbraio Open the borders of Italy and Europe! Organize community proletarian defense against the fascists led by workers/gold immigrants, young and young! Solidarity!,” one activist said.

MFJ in #Rome on #siCobas march for immigrant & Workers rights – against #razzismo & #Fascismo #24febbraio
Aprire le frontiere d’Italia e d’ Europa! Organizzare difesa proletaria comunitaria contro i fascisti guidata da lavoratrici/ori immigrati, giovani e giovani! SOLIDARITY! pic.twitter.com/LvG7kxzQeb

— Movement for Justice (@followMFJ) February 24, 2018

“Anti-fascist protests have kicked off outside Termini station in Rome!,” alerted one twitter user.

Anti-fascist protests have kicked off outside Termini station in Rome! pic.twitter.com/cwyV6YKdKD

— Kat Sanders (@AnatomyKat) February 24, 2018

The Daily Express provides the economic and social backdrop in why Italy’s political environment is in chaos:

The bleak economic forecast and growing immigration concerns have resulted in toxic election campaigns for the upcoming vote amid fears of a revival of neo-fascist sentiment.

Tensions have risen across Italy ahead of the elections as right-wing Lega Nord Matteo Salvini has pledged large scale deportation of refugees.

He vowed to deport 500,000 migrants within five years if his party wins the election – including 100,000 in the first year.

Polls suggest the conservative coalition made up of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia (Go Italy!) and its far-right allies will win the most parliamentary seats, but probably will fall short of an outright majority.

In that case, President Sergio Mattarella could ask a centre-right figure to try to form a government, or he could turn to Luigi Di Maio, leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, which looks set to become Italy’s largest party.

Before a poll blackout came into force on Saturday, 5-Star was polling at around 28 percent, ahead of the ruling PD on 23 percent and Forza Italia on 16 percent.