Meloni Plans Security Crackdown After Milan Riots
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is preparing emergency security measures following violent protests in Milan and other northern cities over rising living costs. The proposed measures, discussed at a high-level government meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, could expand preventive detention powers, introduce restrictions on gatherings and strengthen action against youth gangs.
Milan Protests Leave 271 Detained, 32 Arrested
More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered in Milan over the weekend to protest rising living costs and deteriorating public services. Initially peaceful demonstrations escalated when masked individuals clashed with police, damaged businesses and set fires.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters threw stones, chairs and other objects at officers.
Authorities confirmed that 271 people were taken to police stations following Sunday’s unrest, including 220 minors. Of these, 32 were arrested, including 23 minors, while another 28 were reported to judicial authorities.
Giorgia Meloni Plans Emergency Security Crackdown
Meloni convened an emergency security meeting on Monday to examine measures aimed at preventing further violence.
Proposals reportedly include extending preventive detention to minors, strengthening restrictions on group gatherings and increasing action against organised youth violence.
Authorities also announced plans to deploy 500 soldiers in Milan to reinforce security.
Meloni defended the right to peaceful protest but insisted that vandalism and attacks on public property were unacceptable.
Italy Unrest Spreads Beyond Milan
Clashes and disturbances were also reported in Turin and Bologna, where authorities implemented additional security precautions.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala condemned the destruction of businesses and expressed concern about similar unrest across Europe.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein also denounced the violence while cautioning against restricting legitimate demonstrations over economic hardship.
The unrest comes amid wider protests across several European countries, including France, where rising living costs and public services have become prominent political concerns.
