‘The EU experience is over’ Protesters take the streets of Rome as leaders gather
THE eternal city became the city of protest with no fewer than SIX European Union rallies taking place on the streets of Rome.
By SIMON OSBORNE
Express.co.uk
Sat, Mar 25, 2017
Federalists, nationalists, populists, unionists and anarchists were all catered for in the Italian capital which is also playing host to official events marking the 60th anniversary of the EU’s founding treaty.
While 27 EU leaders – Theresa May was conspicuous by her absence – staged a solemn celebration on the ancient Capitoline Hill, thousands of ordinary people took to the streets, some waving the blue and gold flag of the crisis-plagued EU, others brandishing angry placards.
More than 30,000 demonstrators took part in the various gatherings with 5,000 police and security forces on standby in case of violence.
EU supporter Lucio Pagani said: “The others are very much against Europe and are very critical.
“We instead are for a Europe in the spirit of the original treaty. A free, democratic Europe.”
A very different message was heard in a university hall in the heart of Rome, where the rightist Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party staged a meeting to denounce the EU and to demand radical reform.
Party chief Giorgia Meloni told supporters: “The EU experience is over for us.
“It needs to be shut down and we need to start a new path together that is a confederation of free and sovereign nations.”
The Rest…HERE
