Italy sends 500 troops to Milan and toughens protest laws after cost-of-living riots
Giorgia Meloni's cabinet created a new offence carrying up to five years in prison and a €20,000 fine. Trucker blockades over diesel prices have also halted pasta production in southern Italy.
At a glance
- Italy's cabinet approved sending 500 troops to Milan to guard key sites after weekend riots, in which shops were looted and fires set near Piazza del Duomo.
- A new offence punishes violent participation in a protest by groups of five or more with up to five years in prison and fines of up to €20,000.
- Police may detain 14- to 17-year-olds judged dangerous, and parents can be held liable for damage caused by their children.
- Meloni said nearly 200 police officers were injured and 330 people detained; soldiers were not given policing powers.
- Truckers blocking roads over diesel prices have disrupted food supplies, forcing pasta makers such as Garofalo and Rummo to halt or cut production.
Italy is sending 500 troops to Milan and has passed tough new laws against violent protest, after cost-of-living demonstrations turned into riots. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet approved the measures on Wednesday, October 21, and they take effect immediately.
The new measures
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Troops | 500 soldiers to Milan until the end of the year, to guard key sites and increase surveillance |
| Policing powers | Not given to soldiers |
| New offence | "Violent participation" in a protest by a group of 5 or more: up to 5 years in prison, fine up to €20,000 |
| Tougher penalties | If faces are covered or people are injured |
| Minors | Police may detain 14- to 17-year-olds judged dangerous |
| Parents | Can be held liable for damage caused by their children |
| Compensation | Fast-track orders to pay for damage |
Soldiers were reportedly denied policing powers after objections from President Sergio Mattarella.
What happened
Groups of mostly young protesters smashed shop windows, looted stores and set fires around Milan's Piazza del Duomo at the weekend, and clashed with police in Bologna and Rome. Some luxury brands kept their stores in Milan's fashion district closed. Meloni said nearly 200 police officers were injured and 330 people detained.
"Destroying and stealing is not protest, it is crime, and the state's response must be firm," Meloni said.
Why people are angry
- High fuel and energy prices, which have risen sharply since the war involving Iran began
- Rising rents and food costs
- Low wages and weak public services
Students, farmers and truck drivers have all joined protests.
Trucker blockades hit food supply
Truck drivers began blockading roads across southern Italy on Friday over diesel prices, hitting food supply chains:
- Garofalo halted pasta production on Saturday and restarted on Monday at 40% capacity. "When everything stops, everything stops," its chief executive said.
- Rummo suspended production, and La Molisana cut output because flour deliveries could not get through.
- Supermarkets in parts of the south are short of cheese, fruit and vegetables.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini met union leaders and promised €480 million to ease the fuel crisis. Some unions say blockades will continue until concrete measures are in place.
Part of a wider European wave
Italy's unrest mirrors protests in France, where hundreds of thousands marched in more than 140 cities last weekend and authorities have imposed curfews in several cities. High energy prices linked to the Gulf crisis are squeezing households across Europe.
Why it matters
Italy is the euro zone's third-largest economy. Meloni faces elections next year, with security, immigration and the economy expected to dominate. Critics say detaining minors and harsher protest penalties risk limiting the right to demonstrate.
What happens next
The troops will be deployed in the coming days. Watch for further protests at the weekend, talks between the government and truckers, and challenges to the new laws by opposition parties and rights groups.
Questions people are asking
Why is Italy sending troops to Milan?
After violent protests over the cost of living, in which shops were looted and fires set in central Milan, the cabinet approved 500 troops to guard key sites and increase surveillance. They do not have policing powers.
What are Italy's new protest laws?
Anyone in a group of five or more who endangers public safety during a protest faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to €20,000, with higher penalties for covering faces or causing injuries. Parents can be held liable for damage by minors.
Why are people protesting in Italy?
Over rising living costs, high fuel and energy prices, rents, low wages and weak public services. Truck drivers are also blockading roads over diesel prices, which have risen since the Middle East war began.
