Thousands march in Rome in anti- and pro-migration rallies

Key Points:

• Tens of thousands marched in Rome in both anti- and pro-migration demonstrations following a far-right initiative called "Remigration and Reconquest" that gathered enough signatures to prompt parliamentary discussion on strict measures against migrants.
• The far-right proposal calls for coercive returns, incentives for migrants to leave Italy, and policies critics say could affect legal residents, sparking concerns about potential violations of constitutional and international anti-discrimination laws.
• The anti-migration rally included fascist salutes and chants referencing Benito Mussolini, while the pro-migration march featured left-wing groups and trade unions, with thousands of police deployed to prevent clashes; no violence was reported.
• The migration debate poses a challenge for Premier Giorgia Meloni’s coalition, with some members supporting the discussion and others wary of endorsing a proposal linked to extremist groups amid legal and political concerns.
• The demonstrations coincided with new EU rules on irregular migration and asylum, while Meloni’s government simultaneously pursues policies to expand legal migration to address labor shortages in key sectors.