Italy elections: Rival rallies spark tensions ahead of vote

Thousands of police have been deployed for protests in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities tasked with preventing clashes between anti-fascist and far-right protesters during an election campaign that has increasingly been marred by violence.

Dozens of protests have taken place across Italy as tensions rise in the run-up to next weekend’s election.

Matteo Salvini, leader of the anti-immigrant Lega Nord party (also known as the Northern League) addressed thousands of supporters in Milan.

But in Rome, protesters rallied against what they fear is a return to Italy’s fascist past.

Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego reports from Milan.