Italian students protest austerity

Tens of thousands of school children and students took to the streets of 90 cities in Italy on Friday. They were protesting tax hikes on university fees and a cut in scholarship in the wake of the economic crisis.

Around ten thousand young people took part in a march in Rome, according to organisers, forcing traffic to a standstill in the city center. Others demonstrated in cities from Naples to Milan and Florence.

The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to raise taxes on students who complete their university studies late, and cut scholarships. Critics say the measures will make it impossible for many to go to university at all.

Prime Minister Mario Monti came to power in November last year to tackle Italy’s vast debt amid increasing pressure from the eurozone debt crisis. He has imposed a series of measures aimed to reign in spending and cut waste. The protests follow widespread demonstrations across Italy last week which ended in clashes with police that left dozens injured.

(Source: CNTV.cn)