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Algeria gate: October 30, 2026 — Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Italy on Friday as a nationwide general strike triggered widespread protests against rising living costs, government policies, increased military spending and the country’s involvement in the arms trade.

The demonstrations, organised in response to a call by the grassroots trade union Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), brought together workers, university and high-school students, pensioners, activists and port employees in more than 40 cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Venice and Palermo.

Protesters voiced growing frustration over the rising cost of essential goods, housing, energy bills and declining purchasing power, while demanding stronger investment in public services, particularly education and healthcare. They also criticised the government’s rearmament policies and called for an end to the use of Italian ports for arms shipments to conflict zones.

The mobilisation was particularly visible in Milan, where around 30,000 people reportedly joined a march along a section of the city’s ring road, which was closed to traffic. In Genoa, approximately 15,000 port workers, students and other demonstrators gathered in and around the port, highlighting their opposition to the transport of weapons.

However, the demonstrations were not entirely peaceful. In Rome, clashes broke out after a group of protesters separated from the main march, throwing objects at police officers and setting fire to rubbish bins and electric scooters. In Turin, police deployed water cannons and charged at demonstrators after tensions escalated near the prefecture.

The authorities had placed several major cities under heightened security measures following violent incidents during previous demonstrations in Milan, Turin, Rome and Bologna in recent weeks.

The strike also affected several sectors, including schools, public transport and other essential services, reflecting the broader social and economic concerns behind the mobilisation.

Friday’s demonstrations underscore the growing tensions surrounding Italy‘s economic pressures, social demands and government priorities, as thousands of citizens continue to call for better living conditions, stronger public services and a different approach to military spending.

Algeria Gate: Recordings released by Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission in 2019 revealed conversations in which former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak allegedly sought assistance from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to create documents that could help explain funds linked to the 1MDB scandal.

The recordings, which covered conversations between January and July 2016, formed part of investigations into the multibillion-dollar corruption scandal involving Malaysia’s state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Alleged plan to create a false loan agreement

In one recording from July 2016, Najib reportedly asked Mohammed bin Zayed to help arrange a loan agreement that would present funds linked to the scandal as legitimate financing rather than proceeds of money laundering.

The conversation reportedly took place as the US Department of Justice pursued legal action to recover assets allegedly purchased with money misappropriated from 1MDB.

The funds were also linked to Red Granite Pictures, the production company co-founded by Najib’s stepson, Riza Aziz, which produced the film The Wolf of Wall Street.

According to the account of the recording, Najib sought assistance in creating documentation that could help protect his stepson from legal consequences. Mohammed bin Zayed appeared to agree to the proposed arrangement, although the precise legal implications of the conversation would depend on the full recording and its context.

Malaysian authorities cite alleged cover-up

Latheefa Koya, who headed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at the time, said the nine recordings revealed evidence of an alleged cover-up involving attempts to obstruct investigations and create false evidence related to the 1MDB case.

The commission stated that the recordings had undergone forensic authentication before their release.

The conversations attracted significant attention because they appeared to document discussions involving senior political figures as investigators pursued allegations surrounding the misuse of billions of dollars from the Malaysian state fund.

UAE response

When the recordings were released in 2019, the United Arab Emirates government’s communications office reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.

The recordings added another dimension to the international repercussions of the 1MDB scandal, which implicated political and financial figures across several countries.

The case highlighted the challenges investigators faced in tracing funds across international borders and establishing accountability for alleged financial crimes.

Algeria Gate: France is facing growing economic costs from deteriorating relations with Algeria, as political tensions increasingly affect trade and industrial supply chains. French exports to the Algerian market are declining, while supplies of Algerian urea fertiliser to France could face disruption, adding pressure on importers and the agricultural sector.

According to a Reuters report published on October 23, 2026, five diplomatic and industry sources said Algeria had instructed urea producers to halt fertiliser exports to France. If implemented and maintained, the measure could disrupt an important supply route for French agriculture.

French exports to Algeria continue to decline

French customs data cited by Reuters show that French exports to Algeria fell by around 12% in 2025, reaching €4.2 billion. They declined by a further 12% year-on-year during the first eight months of 2026.

Diplomatic sources cited by Reuters said Algeria had imposed broad, informal restrictions on French goods imports since late July 2026. However, the Algerian authorities have not published an official decision confirming these measures, and the French Foreign Ministry said it had not received formal notification.

Meanwhile, French imports from Algeria reached €5.1 billion in 2025, following an 18% decline. They fell by a further 11% between January and August 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Although these figures do not establish that political measures caused every decline, they point to a broader contraction in bilateral trade.

Urea exports worth nearly $219 million

The potential suspension of Algerian urea supplies could have significant implications for France. International trade data for 2025 show that France imported approximately 481,000 tonnes of urea from Algeria, worth around $218.9 million, making Algeria France’s second-largest supplier of the fertiliser after Egypt.

French industry associations estimate that Algerian supplies account for around 30% of France’s urea imports, while trade data measured by value put the share at approximately 26%. The difference reflects variations in data sources and measurement methods.

If these supplies are interrupted, French importers would need to find alternative suppliers in an international market where prices, delivery schedules and transportation costs influence purchasing decisions.

The disruption could also affect fertiliser costs for French farmers as they prepare for the next agricultural season. French representatives from the fertiliser and grain sectors have warned that supply disruptions, combined with higher gas costs, could put additional pressure on agricultural production expenses.

The actual impact will depend on whether the reported suspension is implemented, how long it lasts and how quickly importers can secure alternative supplies.

Political tensions spill into trade

The latest developments reflect a broader deterioration in relations between Algeria and France since 2024, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for a plan granting Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.

France has raised the issue of Algerian trade restrictions during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, suggesting that Paris is also seeking to address the consequences through European channels. However, the EU’s common trade policy complicates efforts to resolve the dispute through bilateral measures alone.

For France, the economic pressure comes amid declining exports to Algeria and growing uncertainty over access to the Algerian market. For Algeria, trade and industrial supplies represent potential sources of leverage, although the impact on Algerian producers will depend on their ability to redirect exports to alternative markets and maintain revenues.

The dispute is therefore taking on a more direct economic dimension. France is facing a documented decline in exports to Algeria, while the possible suspension of Algerian urea supplies could add further costs for French importers and the agricultural sector.

If the reported measure is confirmed and sustained, the consequences would demonstrate how political tensions between the two countries can extend beyond diplomacy and affect businesses and productive sectors on both sides.