Salvini meets with the bus drivers: the table in Milan to unblock the protest while the presidents continue The live

Italian transport unions and truck drivers continued their protests across southern Italy on October 20, 2026, despite ongoing negotiations with government officials. The demonstrations have caused disruptions to major highways and led to empty supermarket shelves in some areas. The meeting between Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and representatives of the trucking sector took place in Milan’s Prefecture, aiming to resolve the standoff over fuel costs and other economic pressures facing the industry. During the meeting, Deputy Transport Minister Edoardo Rixi announced that approximately one billion euros had been unlocked for the sector. This includes 480 million euros allocated for claims submitted up to August, with additional resources planned for September and October. However, the tax credit will be available only in 2027. Rixi emphasized that the government was beginning to disburse funds immediately, starting with around 430 million euros, which had increased to roughly 480 million. These funds aim to clear all applications received by August 30, the last deadline for submissions. The talks included representatives from several key organizations within the transportation sector, including Fai, Anita, Assotir, Cna Fita, Confartigianato trasporti, Fedit, Fiap, Trasporto Unito Fiap, Confcooperative, Legacoop production and services, and Sna, Casartigiani. Central to the discussions were concerns over rising fuel prices, while roadblocks continued and food supplies faced delays reaching supermarkets. Rixi urged an immediate end to extreme forms of protest, hoping that roadblocks would cease by the afternoon. He acknowledged the sector's grievances but stressed that prolonged blockades of roads, ports, and highways could jeopardize food supply chains and hospital operations. The government’s primary goal remained ensuring essential supplies reached their destinations, particularly focusing on preventing disruptions to supermarket and hospital logistics. Despite these efforts, protests persisted in parts of southern Italy. On the A1 highway connecting Milan to Naples, traffic jams were reported near the northern entrance to Naples, with two kilometers of congestion between Naples and Caserta heading towards Rome. On the A30 highway linking Caserta to Salerno, the exit at Nocera Pagani was closed in both directions. Traffic jams were also reported exiting Nola for those coming from Salerno and entering in both directions. Drivers coming from Canosa were advised to exit at Tufino and follow instructions to Nola, while those from Salerno were directed to take the A16 and exit at Tufino before proceeding to Nola. Supermarket shelves in parts of Caserta and Naples were increasingly empty, especially for large retail chains dependent on distribution centers located primarily in industrial areas of Caserta (such as Carinaro and Teverola), which were affected by the strike. Smaller grocery stores and minimarkets, which rely on local producers for restocking, partially offset this issue. Meanwhile, in Cosenza, students joined the protests against cuts in education funding and rising textbook costs. Student representatives from institutes such as Brutium, Valentini, and Da Vinci participated alongside agricultural workers and truckers, forming a coalition to highlight living cost issues before authorities. Some tense moments occurred during the demonstration, though the overall mood seemed focused on collective action. Salvini reiterated his commitment to disbursing already allocated funds promptly, stating that the 430 million euros already budgeted were available and should begin being distributed this week. He acknowledged bureaucratic hurdles but insisted on expediting the process since many businesses could not afford further delays. Additional measures were under discussion, including potential new financial allocations. The situation remains fluid, with some roadblocks reportedly lifted yesterday and others today. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding the port of Naples, which continues to be a point of contention. The government aims to restore normalcy to ensure citizens can access essential goods and continue their daily activities without excessive disruption.