Nonunion, antigovernment protesters clashed with police in some cities, including Milan, where students dressed as Santa Claus jumped the fence at a government office building and threw bottles and other objects. Police dispersed that crowd with tear gas. Authorities said 11 officers were injured.
The general strike is one of the largest by two of the nation’s most powerful union groups against a center-left government, which had traditionally cozied up to unions. The strike created chaos as trains, buses, schools, and ports closed down.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the right to strike must be protected but insisted his tougher line is necessary to return the economy to growth.
The unions are protesting spending cuts and labor law changes that make it easier for companies to fire workers, which Renzi passed in a bid to attract foreign investment.
