Protests and Violence Also Erupt in Italy; Milan Prepares to Deploy Troops

Darwin, October 20: Protests and violence over the rising cost of living have erupted in Italy, one of Europe’s largest economies, following similar unrest in France. After two days of demonstrations and violence in Milan, the country’s second-largest city and a major industrial and fashion hub, the government has announced plans to deploy 500 soldiers to the city. The move is aimed at strengthening security following clashes between protesters and police, looting of shops, and property damage.

Fearing a fresh wave of violence, shops in the city’s upscale commercial districts have closed early. The Guardian reported.

On Monday (October 19), Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced the decision. He leads the ruling right-wing League party. In a social media post, Salvini wrote, “From words to action: another 500 soldiers to protect Milan.”

Luxury stores in central Milan closed early on Monday. Amid fears that violence could erupt again in the city, widely regarded as Italy’s financial capital, many shops installed wooden boards and other protective measures over their windows.

Most stores belonging to brands such as Chanel, Tiffany and Dior on Via Montenapoleone, Milan’s upscale shopping street, removed products from their display windows as a precaution. Police patrolled the streets, while several tourists were seen observing the situation.

Protests began peacefully on Saturday over the quality of public services and the rising cost of living. However, over the weekend, hundreds of masked demonstrators, many believed to be minors, set rubbish bins on fire in the city centre and looted shops.

Television footage showed that the affected stores included sporting goods retailers Decathlon and Arc’teryx, as well as mobile phone service provider Vodafone. Shop windows belonging to brands such as Levi’s, Under Armour and Decathlon were also covered with cardboard and wooden panels.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose government faces a national election next year, condemned the violence. On Monday, she met with ministers and security officials to review the situation.

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani wrote on X, “The government will respond firmly to these attacks on the state. This will include measures to curb violence involving minors.”

Meloni is considering extending the period during which minors can be held in preventive detention and strengthening measures against juvenile criminal gangs. The government may also seek to fast-track certain provisions of a security bill currently under parliamentary review.

Italian police said 271 young people were detained in Milan following Sunday’s violence, with 32 arrested. Among those arrested were 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals. Authorities have also notified judicial officials about 28 additional individuals.

Clashes were also reported on Saturday in several northern Italian cities, including Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin. A police report published on Sunday said 28 protesters had been arrested in connection with the incidents.

The unrest in Italy bears similarities to recent protests in neighbouring France. Anger over the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets there on Saturday. Some of the country’s most violent demonstrations in several years were witnessed that day.

Source: The Guardian