Italian truckers threaten national strike over fuel costs as protests spread across the south

Italian truckers threaten a national strike if the government does not respond to their demands over high fuel prices, warning the country could be brought to a standstill. Protests are already spreading across southern Italy. Conftrasporto President Pasquale Russo said the government must urgently convene transport associations or face a national stoppage. He cited a fuel price increase of over 50 cents per liter since the war began and demanded the release of previously allocated funds and additional resources. Fuel shortages are causing chaos in Calabrian cities like Catanzaro, Cosenza, and Lamezia Terme, with stations running dry due to blockades at the Taranto refinery. Protests continue in the Foggia area, with farmers and truckers holding demonstrations at Vieste and Poggio Imperiale.