NAPLES - Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini was welcomed to Campania by widespread demonstrations while in Naples on official business on Thursday.

 A procession of hundreds of protestors marched through the streets of the city before settling in Piazza del Plebiscito, in front of the Prefecture where Salvini, in his capacity as Interior Minister, was attending a meeting on public order and security.

 Protestors then, according to police accounts, began to throw smoke bombs and one individual hurled a barrier that injured a police officer, who was taken to hospital. Friction between protestors and police grew further as the latter moved to contain the aggression. 

 Protestors were expressing their anger at Salvini’s right-wing policies and his growing populist narrative as he looks to lead his League party to success in this month’s European elections. Since Salvini rose to power after the 2018 general election, Italy has taken a tougher stance on immigration and incidents of racial aggression have become more prevalent.

ea