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

Tens of thousands of people marched in Rome in rival anti- and pro-migration demonstrations. The anti-migration initiative successfully gathered enough signatures to bring its proposals before Parliament, igniting debate within Italy's ruling right-wing coalition. This development highlights ongoing tensions surrounding migration policies in Italy.

In parallel, tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ supporters marched in the capitals of Romania and Bulgaria, advocating for equality. These marches occurred amidst growing conservative opposition in both nations. As EU members since 2007, Romania and Bulgaria currently rank lowest among EU countries for LGBTQ+ rights, with no legal recognition for same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. The demonstrations underscore the push for greater rights and acceptance in Eastern Europe.