Organisations such as Potere al Popolo (Power to the People, PoP), the Party of Communist Refoundation (PRC), Giovani Comuniste e Comunisti (Young Communists, GC), Communist Youth Front (FGC), Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) and the Italian Communist Party (PCI) took part in the demonstrations.
Progressive trade unions also held a health workers’ strike on May 21, demanding an end to profiteering from the pandemic and precarious working conditions.
PoP organised protests across the country on May 22, highlighting the demands of vaccines for all, public healthcare, social justice and for the right to work and dignity.
The Global Health Summit focused on coordinating worldwide efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic and was co-chaired by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Leaders from the G20, the European Union, and 15 international and regional organisations, including the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), participated in the summit.