Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply condemned protesters opposed to the Winter Olympics, branding them “enemies of Italy and Italians” after clashes in Milan and the alleged sabotage of railway infrastructure during the opening days of the Games.
The comments came as Italy’s co-hosted Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo moved into their first full day of competition. While events went ahead as scheduled, protests on Saturday spilled into violence on the fringes of demonstrations in Milan, prompting a strong political and institutional backlash.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, Meloni praised the thousands of Italians, working to keep the Games running smoothly. She then turned her focus to the unrest.
“Then there are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians. The protesters demonstrate ‘against the Olympics,’ causing these images to end up on televisions around the world. After others cut the railway cables to prevent the trains from leaving,” she wrote.
The Italian Transport Ministry said an investigation into suspected “terrorism” had been opened following the sabotage of rail infrastructure near the city of Bologna on Saturday. Authorities said those responsible could face claims for damages running into the millions of euros.
The International Olympic Committee also weighed in, condemning the violence linked to the protests. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams acknowledged that peaceful protest is legitimate but drew a clear boundary.
“Peaceful protest is legitimate, but we draw a line at violence,” Adams told reporters on Sunday, adding that such behaviour “has no place at the Olympic Games”.
Thousands of people had marched through Milan on Saturday to protest what they see as the Olympics’ environmental and social costs, including concerns over public spending and ecological damage. The demonstration initially unfolded peacefully before tensions rose near Olympic venues, where some protesters set off smoke bombs and firecrackers.
Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, dispersing crowds and triggering clashes in areas close to the Olympic Village and a nearby highway.
The protests have not been limited to opposition to the Games themselves. Separate demonstrations have targeted Israel’s participation and the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents deployed to help secure the American delegation.
During Friday’s opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, Israel’s small team entered to scattered boos, though the jeers were quickly drowned out by music and the broader celebratory atmosphere. A similar reaction greeted US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance when they appeared on the stadium’s big screen.
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