The Italian government announced on Monday, October 19, that it will deploy 500 army troops to Milan following two days of unrest. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini stated the deployment is intended to defend the city after demonstrations resulted in clashes with police, property damage, and the looting of shops. The measure is expected to be part of a security package for cabinet approval on Tuesday, October 20.
The unrest began on Saturday, October 17, as an initially peaceful demonstration concerning poor public services and rising costs. The situation escalated when several hundred hooded protesters set fires in bins and targeted businesses in the city center. Similar disturbances were reported in other northern Italian cities, including Turin, Bologna, Brescia, and Bergamo, as well as in neighboring France.
In response to the weekend violence, luxury retailers on Milan's Via Montenapoleone, such as Chanel, Dior, and Tiffany, cleared their display windows and closed early on Monday. Brands including Levi’s, Under Armour, and Decathlon installed protective cardboard and wooden panels over their storefronts. National police reported detaining 271 individuals in Milan on Sunday, October 18, resulting in 32 arrests. Of those arrested, 23 were minors and 13 were foreign nationals.
The policy changes discussed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government target minors and youth gangs. According to reports from the newspaper Corriere della Sera, the government is considering extending preventive detention for minors. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the government intends to respond firmly to what he described as attacks on the state, focusing on curbs for violence involving minors.
These measures would accelerate the implementation of provisions already contained in a security bill currently under review by the Italian parliament. Following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 20, the government is expected to finalize the new regulations.