Italy deploys troops to Milan and introduces stricter riot penalties

Italy has ordered soldiers into Milan and enacted stricter public-order legislation following days of unrest triggered by the escalating cost of living.

Under the decisions made by the cabinet on Tuesday, 500 military personnel will assist in safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive areas in the northern financial hub. The defense ministry confirmed the soldiers will support surveillance and site protection efforts. However, following pushback from Italian President Sergio Mattarella, ministers opted not to grant the troops direct policing capabilities, according to local news reports.

The moves follow a weekend of turmoil across multiple northern urban centers. Milan saw significant unrest as predominantly young demonstrators clashed with law enforcement officers, shattered shop fronts, and carried out acts of looting. Public anger has surged over sharp hikes in energy and fuel costs, elevated housing rents, stagnant earnings, and underfunded public services.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended the administration's clampdown following the ministerial session, stating on social media that acts of destruction and theft constitute crime rather than legitimate protest, requiring a resolute reaction from the state.

The newly introduced legal framework takes immediate effect and establishes distinct criminal penalties. Participating in an assembly of five or more people that threatens public safety now carries a sentence of up to five years behind bars, along with fines reaching 20,000 euros. Punishments rise if participants cover their faces or cause physical injuries.

The regulations also make parents financially responsible for vandalism or looting caused by their underage children. Furthermore, security forces have been granted broader preventative detention powers, enabling them to hold juveniles between the ages of 14 and 17 if they are considered dangerous, even without a specific crime having occurred.

The government is confronting wider unrest beyond the northern cities. In southern regions, truck drivers protesting high diesel rates have created transit blockades, leading to supply chain disruptions. These demonstrations also run parallel to substantial civil unrest in neighboring France, where citizens have rallied in large numbers against similar economic pressures. With nationwide elections scheduled for 2027, the mounting financial strain on Italian households continues to pose a major challenge for the governing coalition.