Trieste – Mayor Roberto Dipiazza faced calls to resign on Sunday, 8 November, after threatening to shoot violent protesters. The Forza Italia politician said in an interview that he would shoot people in the head if they threw explosive devices in his city. He was commenting on Friday's unrest, in which three police officers were injured.
The protest on 6 November followed the deaths of two young people in a fire at Trieste's old port. Clashes broke out on Friday evening when police blocked access to the former market on Via Flavio Gioia. According to initial reports, protesters wanted to occupy the building.
Opposition demands consequences
Democratic Party MP Debora Serracchiani called on Dipiazza to resign. Azione leader Carlo Calenda also demanded that the mayor withdraw his statement or step down.
Stefano Patuanelli, deputy leader of the Five Star Movement, expressed solidarity with the injured officers and condemned Dipiazza's remarks. Luana Zanella of the Greens and Left Alliance demanded an apology to the people of Trieste.
