Italy Deploys Troops and Toughens Laws After Youth Riots
The Italian government deployed 500 troops to Milan and approved a security decree with harsher penalties for minors following violent cost-of-living protests.
The Government of Italy deployed 500 army troops to Milan and approved an emergency security decree following a weekend of youth-led rioting from October 17-19. The unrest, part of a broader "No Meloni Day" movement involving 100,000 people across 40 cities, began as peaceful protests against rising living costs and poor public services. In northern cities including Milan, Turin, and Bologna, the demonstrations escalated into looting and arson, with hooded youths targeting luxury districts and stores such as Vodafone and Decathlon. Retail association Confcommercio estimated damages at approximately one billion euros, while police reported 14 officers injured and over 270 detentions, 80% of whom were minors.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni characterized the violence as "criminality" rather than protest. The resulting security decree creates a new offense for "violent participation in a demonstration," punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of 20,000 euros. The law also holds parents financially liable for vandalism committed by minors and expands preventive detention for youths aged 14 to 17. While the government initially sought to grant the deployed soldiers judicial police powers, President Sergio Mattarella blocked the proposal on constitutional grounds.
Parallel to the urban riots, southern Italy faced disruptions as farmers and truckers blockaded ports and refineries to protest fuel prices, impacting food supply chains. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto attributed the northern unrest to a "hybrid war" waged via social media platforms like TikTok to instill values conflicting with democratic rules. Trade unions have since called for further general strikes in late October and November.
