Meloni convened an emergency meeting: Italy prepares new restrictions
The Italian government is considering urgently toughening legislation after mass riots, store looting and clashes with police. New measures may include longer preventive detention, tougher liability for property destruction and additional restrictions for participants in violent actions.
This was reported by ANSA on 19 October following a public security meeting that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held at the Chigi Palace government building in Rome.
At the meeting, government, police and intelligence officials analysed the mass riots that have occurred in recent days in several Italian cities, primarily Milan.
According to the agency, the participants concluded that tougher countermeasures are needed against violent acts during mass events.
The government intends to preserve citizens' right to peaceful demonstrations, separating their participants from those committing crimes.
What restrictions the Italian government is preparing
As reported by Rai News, the authorities are considering fast-tracking certain provisions of a security bill that is already under consideration in the Senate.
Among the proposals are expanding police powers for preventive detention, toughening penalties for property damage, and introducing additional measures against road blockades.
Representatives of the League party, part of the ruling coalition, have proposed increasing the maximum period of preventive detention to 24 hours.
Mandatory arrest for participation in mass looting is also being discussed, with the possibility of holding suspects for 48 hours after the offence.
The government is paying particular attention to underage riot participants. Strengthened liability for group offences and increased capacity of the juvenile justice system are being considered.
In addition, the League party advocates expanding Operation Safe Streets, which involves deploying military personnel to ensure security in public places.
All these proposals are still under discussion. The final list of measures and the legal mechanisms for their application have not yet been approved.
A new decree may be considered on 20 October
According to ANSA, the Italian Council of Ministers is tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 20 October at 17:30 local time.
The government is considering adopting a special decree-law that would speed up the introduction of some restrictions without waiting for the normal parliamentary procedure to conclude.
Government legal services continue to study law enforcement proposals and their compliance with legislation.
The final text of the decree is not yet available. The authorities must also take into account constitutional guarantees of personal freedom and the right to peaceful assembly.
Opposition parties oppose the hasty expansion of police powers. They demand that the government first ensure effective enforcement of existing laws.
Milan riots triggered the move
The emergency meeting was prompted by clashes that took place in Italy on 17–19 October amid mass protests against the high cost of living.
In Milan, rioters smashed shop windows, looted stores and clashed with law enforcement. Police officers were injured and businesses suffered damage.
On 19 October, some luxury brand stores in central Milan temporarily closed due to fears of repeated attacks. Law enforcement increased patrols in shopping districts and the Duomo square.
According to Italian police, 271 people were taken to police stations after Sunday's riots in Milan, most of them minors.
Meloni's government intends to determine additional measures to prevent such incidents. However, a decision on the introduction of new restrictions and their duration is not expected until the relevant proposals are considered by the Council of Ministers.
