Key facts
- Around 6,000 members of Italy's armed forces and security services marched in Rome.
- Protesters demanded higher pay, better pensions, and stronger workplace protections.
- Several unions refused to sign a recent collective agreement, arguing it was insufficient.
- The new deal included a gross monthly pay rise of €188 and a one-off back payment of €2,448.
- Demands included reforming the supplementary pension system and ending plans to raise the retirement age to 65.
- Protesters also called for stronger legal protections and greater investment in recruitment and training.
Thousands of members of Italy's security and defence forces demonstrated in Rome on Saturday, July 19, 2026, to protest against the government's handling of the economic crisis and to demand better pay, pensions, and workplace protections. Approximately 6,000 personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza participated in the joint protest, organized by several of the country's main defence and security unions.
The demonstration followed the government's renewal of a collective agreement for around 430,000 military and security personnel. This agreement included a gross monthly pay increase of €188 and a one-off payment of €2,448, along with a commitment to discuss pension reform. However, several unions, including Sinafi, the New Carabinieri Union (NSC), Usami Aeronautica, Itamil, and Silmm, refused to sign the deal, deeming it insufficient to address their concerns.
These dissenting unions organized the march under the slogan "Every day we serve Italy. Today we demand respect." Their key demands include reforming the supplementary pension system, preventing an increase in the retirement age to 65, enhancing legal protections for security personnel, ensuring pay increases keep pace with inflation, and boosting investment in recruitment, training, and modernization of the profession.
Massimiliano Zetti, secretary-general of the NSC, stated that the union rejected the agreement because the promised economic benefits were not delivered. He emphasized that security personnel are individuals with families who deserve fair pay, highlighting that "Security has a cost."
The protest concluded with a conference focused on the future of Italy's security, defence, and emergency services, attended by representatives from various unions.