Thousands of people protested the EU’s rearmament plan in Rome. The crowd gathered at the opposition party’s call, the Five Star Movement (M5S), marched from Vittorio Emanuele Square to Fori Imperiali Street, chanting “No to rearmament.”

The M5S has brought the anti-rearmament people to the streets. From the gathering in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in Rome, the procession started with the youth of the Movement at the head and headed towards the Imperial Forums where the stage was set up. The demonstrators display the flags of the movement and those of peace. “Today comes a loud and clear no to the waste of 800 billion to rearm Europe, madness”, said the leader of the M5S Giuseppe Conte. In the procession with the M5S, there is also a delegation of the PD. The announcement came the day before from the Dem leader: there are convergences and differences in the vision between the two parties, said Elly Schlein, but “with the M5S we govern in many regions and cities, and when one of our allies goes to the streets despite our differences we pay attention and listen, because we are stubbornly united”. She is not there in person but representing the Democrats, the group leaders in the Senate, Francesco Boccia, and other exponents.

“Giorgia Meloni approved the rearmament plan for Europe without any mandate, and this is another failure of her government that will go down in history,” declared Giuseppe Conte at the demonstration promoted by the M5S against rearmament. “I am pleased to see the main opposition forces present, as today we are laying a solid pillar for constructing an alternative government. The Meloni government has sold Italy to the needs of Germany on a project that will further disintegrate Europe, which is another failure of hers.” Conte reiterated that the centerpiece of their alternative is opposition to armaments and funding for health and education. The M5S leader chanted “No to rearmament” with the crowd, his determination inspiring all those present.

According to party sources, the protest saw an overwhelming turnout of more than 80,000 people. Throughout the march, the air was filled with the resounding chants of the protesters, all united in their opposition to Europe’s rearmament. Banners reading “No to billions of euros spent on arms” were proudly carried, further emphasizing the scale and impact of the protest.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 4 that Europe must take more responsibility for security. It announced the plan could mobilise around 800 billion euros in defense investment.