
Customers queue at a gas station ahead of a two-day strike in Naples, Italy, on Jan. 24.
A last-ditch attempt by the government to convince unions to call off the strike failed. But some of the groups organizing the protest decided to reduce its duration, signaling some progress in negotiations with Industry and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso.
Still, the strike is a setback for Meloni, who has been on the defensive since the end of a car-fuel subsidy in late December sparked protests from consumers and labor unions. Her government responded with measures to counter alleged price gouging by gas station operators, who in turn decided to strike against what they say is an unfair characterization.
Comment: The case can be made that this originated in the US: