Students opposing a neo-fascist party have scuffled with police in Milan at one of at least a dozen rallies being held across Italy on the last weekend for political action before the March 4 national election.

Thousands of police have been deployed at protests in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities, seeking to prevent clashes during an election campaign that has increasingly been marked by violence.

Police take on students during a demonstration in Milan(Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA/AP)
Police take on students during a demonstration in Milan(Daniel Dal Zennaro/ANSA/AP)

One Rome march protested racism and neo-fascism, while another targeted the centre-left government’s labour reforms. A third rally in Rome was opposing mandatory vaccines, which has become a campaign issue.

Italy Politics
People gather to attend a rally of the Leader of The League party Matteo Salvini, in Milan (Antonio Calanni/AP)

Shops closed early amid fears of violence between far-left and far-right protesters in Palermo, Sicily, where days ago a neo-fascist leader was attacked in the street.