WorldHundreds camp in Rome heat as Meloni government cracks down on squats

Hundreds of people have been sleeping in tents for a week during Rome’s heatwave. Spin Time, a centre offering homes, food banks and after-school clubs, has been closed and residents locked out by authorities. The building was occupied by grassroots groups in 2013, but a minor fire last week forced an evacuation. It has remained shut amid a standoff between Giorgia Meloni’s government and local politicians over its future. The government is seeking to intensify its crackdown on squatted properties.

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TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-05 04:00Original