Thousands protest in Italy against financial crisis

[News_Editor]

Thousands protest in Italy against financial crisis

2011-11-18 06:52:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of students on Thursday took to the streets across Italy to protest against financial institutions and the ongoing economic crisis, the ANSA news agency reported. Several people were injured and arrested.

In Milan, clashes erupted as protesters made their way to Bocconi University, the prestigious school of economics where newly appointed Premier Mario Monti was dean. According to reports, some protesters threw stones and smoke bombs as they blamed banks and financial institutions for the current economic crisis.

In Palermo, demonstrators also threw eggs and smoke bombs at various bank headquarters. Police retaliated by using tear gas against masked protesters who were throwing rocks, bricks and smoke bombs.

Moreover, some protesters attempted to occupy the headquarters of the Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, but police intervened. One protester reportedly suffered head injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Similar demonstrations took place throughout other major cities, where participants ranged from students to the unemployed. The protests were part of the so-called "Block Everything Day", organized by student groups to coincide with International Students' Day as well as a national transit strike.

Demonstrators criticized the newly-formed technocratic cabinet, saying that it is a "government of bankers" since many ministers come from finance and economics backgrounds. Monti is expected to present the reform package his emergency government intends to implement to avert a financial calamity soon.

On Wednesday, Monti unveiled his team of ministers for an emergency government of national unity tasked with steering Italy out of its debt crisis. As expected, the team was composed of experts in their respective fields who are not politicians.

Monti, who was recently named Senator for life in the Italian Senate, was appointed on Sunday after Silvio Berlusconi resigned as the country's prime minister a day earlier. Berlusconi had repeatedly rejected opposition calls for his resignation, despite being hit by numerous sex and corruption scandals as well as local election and referendum defeats.

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