ROME (AP) 鈥 Tens of thousands of Italians joined a pro-Europe rally in Rome's city center Saturday, waving blue European Union flags in a sign of support and unity as a European push for rearmament divides the country.
The initiative, supported by most of the center-left opposition parties, despite their different positions, was launched by Italian journalist Michele Serra at the end of February, with an editorial in the Italian daily La Repubblica titled: 鈥淟et鈥檚 say something European.鈥
鈥淚 wanted to organize a large demonstration of citizens supporting Europe, its unity and its freedom, with no party flags, only European flags,鈥 Serra said, launching the slogan: 鈥淗ere we make Europe, or we die.鈥
The initiative was born in response to 鈥檚 destabilizing policies, which created an unprecedented rift between Europe and the U.S., strained over the war in Ukraine and an ongoing tariff battle.
Italian Premier has reluctantly backed an over concerns that the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might weigh on Italy鈥檚 giant debt, diverting much-needed funds to weapons spending.
The EU plan aims to generate around 800 billion euros over the next four years, the bulk of which will come from member states increasing their national spending on defense and security.
Internally, Meloni openly criticized the project, rejecting the term 鈥渞earm鈥 as misleading and encouraged European partners to focus instead on common defense and security.
Organizers said Saturday that the pro-Europe rally, which filled Rome鈥檚 central Piazza del Popolo with at least 30,000 people, reunited Italians on different sides and voting for opposite parties 鈥渋n the name of democracy.鈥
鈥淲e are here to defend freedom and democracy," said Daniela Condotto, one of the demonstrators. 鈥淭hese are concepts that we got used to over 80 years, but in reality they need to be defended, we cannot take them as a given.鈥
Right-wing government parties snubbed the demonstration, standing behind Meloni, who has been struggling in her attempt to play a mediating role between Trump and the EU.
鈥淭here must be support for Europe, but with concrete reforms, not symbolic events,鈥 said Antonio Tajani, foreign minister and vice premier ahead of Saturday鈥檚 rally.
Vice Premier Matteo Salvini, leader of the eurosceptic League's party, was openly critical. 鈥淲hile some people demonstrate with flags, we work to change this Europe, which crushes workers, farmers and entrepreneurs with its absurd rules,鈥 he said.
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Associated Press journalist Trisha Thomas contributed to this report.
