Massive demo fills Rome

One of the largest demonstrations in recent history filled the streets of Rome last month. Organised by CGIL, the largest of Italy’s three main union confederations, it brought 2.7 million people onto the streets on 4 April, according to union estimates.

The demonstration was called to protest against the overall policy of the Berlusconi government, as well as against the plans, agreed with the other two union confederations, to change Italy’s collective bargaining structure to allow more flexibility for local deals.