ON
← Back to feed
Meloni's government wants to deploy soldiers on the streets of Milan after last weekend's riots.
Spain🏛️ PoliticsConservative13 hr. ago

Meloni's government wants to deploy soldiers on the streets of Milan after last weekend's riots.

The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to deploy 500 military personnel with police powers in Milan to prevent unrest similar to the disturbances that occurred over the weekend. The move was confirmed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during an economic forum in Rome, stating the government would take a firm stance to ensure free commerce after reports of shoplifting in the city center. The deployment was initially announced by Vice President and leader of the far-right League party, Matteo Salvini. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized that the military intervention would need legal approval to function as police forces temporarily, supporting existing police forces for up to three months. Opposition parties criticized the decision as an attempt to militarize the city, while the police union SIAP warned that equipping soldiers with judicial policing roles requires specific training and organization. The weekend’s unrest followed protests against rising living costs in Italy, resulting in significant damage to central Milan, with 270 individuals identified, most of whom were minors.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Tuesday the deployment of 500 additional soldiers to Milan until the end of the year to support local police following violent clashes in the Lombardy metropolis. The Council of Ministers also approved measures aimed at facilitating the detention of minors, imposing fines on their parents in case of damage, and establishing the offense of "violent participation in a demonstration." "Demonstrating is a right, but destroying our cities is not," Meloni stated in a video posted on X. The government's decision follows two days of unrest in Milan over the weekend, during which hundreds of demonstrators were detained. Several shops in the Italian fashion capital were looted, with some stores remaining closed while others removed their windows. New demonstrations are expected on October 24. According to official data, law enforcement authorities arrested or identified 330 individuals, half of whom were foreign-born or children of immigrants. The new contingent will reinforce Operation Safe Streets, an initiative launched in 2008 that deploys around 5,000 military personnel to hotspots and tourist areas nationwide to ensure public order. The measure was passed as a decree-law and will enter into force immediately, with a 60-day period to be ratified by the Italian Parliament. The package of measures includes the creation of the crime of "violent participation in a demonstration," punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to €20,000 for those participating in violent group actions. "If during a march or demonstration you join a group of five or more people, throw stones, fireworks, sticks, and endanger everyone’s safety, you risk up to five years in prison and up to €20,000 in fines," Meloni explained. Additionally, the decree introduces the principle that "those who break pay, and if those who break are minors, their parents pay." In the legal sphere, the presumption of culpability for minors aged 14 to 18 is established immediately, allowing the head of police to issue verbal warnings and prohibit gatherings in public places for young people with violent records. The draft decree had also considered granting military personnel exceptional police functions for three months, which would have allowed them to make arrests, but this provision was ultimately excluded from the approved text. Referring to the weekend demonstrations, Meloni noted that apart from the usual opposing factions, hundreds of young people participated, many of them under the age of 18. "There is nothing revolutionary about destroying and stealing. Destroying and stealing is not protest, it is criminality, and the state's response must be firm," she said. The prime minister added that law enforcement had arrested or identified 330 individuals, half of whom were foreigners, including those born abroad and those born in Italy to foreign families. "I hope that the crimes committed are pursued quickly and that all available regulations, including those from recent security decrees, are applied rigorously," she stated. Meloni highlighted that the youngest person identified was 11 years old, a situation that, according to her, "hurts and scares, and challenges us all." The government's decision comes amid rising tensions due to protests planned for Saturday in Rome, Milan, and other parts of the country by the "Movement 17th of October," a youth protest group formed after recent incidents in the center of Milan, which has announced ongoing mobilizations "until the fall of the government." The deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan was confirmed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who stated the plan to strengthen security in the city with military personnel having policing powers to prevent disturbances similar to those of the previous weekend. The measure was set to be approved in a Cabinet meeting later Tuesday, according to the vice president, who spoke at an economic forum in Rome. "The government's response will be firm to guarantee free trade," he declared, referring to the shop lootings in the center of Milan last weekend. The decision to send more troops to Milan has been criticized by opposition parties from the center-left, who see the move as an attempt to "militarize" the city. The police union SIAP warned that equipping military personnel with judicial police functions "requires specific training, experience, and organization." The unrest last weekend occurred alongside a protest against the rising cost of living in Italy and resulted in significant damage to the center of Milan. A total of 270 people were identified, nearly all of them, 220, were under the age of 18. The government's decision to deploy 500 soldiers to Milan follows intense negotiations and discussions among officials, including the agreement to extend preventive detention to minors suspected of potential violent acts before public demonstrations. It also considers prohibiting minors with violent records from gathering in public places. The government is also considering stricter penalties for masked protesters and those attacking infrastructure, energy facilities, and other public services. For organizing violent demonstrations using digital communication tools, the new decree predicts prison terms ranging from four to twelve years. The government in Rome adopted extraordinary measures to curb unrest after protests against high prices in Milan and several other cities last week were marked by confrontations with police, riots, vandalism, looting, and shoplifting. Groups of young people, many of whom were masked, were involved in the incidents.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 5 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (1)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

8 reports

elDiario.es logoelDiario.esIndependentConservativeFactual 95Objective 8516 hr. ago
Meloni approves preventive detention of minors and sends 500 soldiers to Milan after riots

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, approved measures to reinforce security in Milan after recent disturbances and riots that caused significant damage and injuries to police officers. The decision includes deploying an additional 500 soldiers until December 31 to assist local authorities in maintaining public order. The decree also introduces stricter penalties for violent participation in protests, including up to five years in prison and fines of up to €20,000. It establishes the principle that if a minor commits property damage, their parents will be held financially responsible. Additionally, the law expands the presumption of culpability for minors aged 14 to 18 and allows police chiefs to issue verbal warnings and ban gatherings for youths with histories of violence. According to official data, over 330 people were detained or identified during the unrest, half of whom were foreign nationals.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the government’s actions, deploying military forces and introducing harsher legal measures, as necessary responses to public disorder. The framing emphasizes the need for strong enforcement and punitive measures, particularly against minors, which aligns with a conservative/right-

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the deployment of 500 additional soldiers to Milan, the approval of preventive detention for minors, and the creation of a new crime for violent participation in protests. It cites Giorgia Meloni directly and provides specific details such as the duration of military d

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting the government's actions without overtly favorable or critical language. However, it does include some evaluative phrases like 'inaceptables' (unacceptable) when describing the disturbances, which slightly skews the neutrality.

20minutos logo20minutosIndependentConservativeFactual 95Objective 8516 hr. ago
Meloni extends preventive detention to minors in the wake of unrest in the country

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has approved new security measures in response to recent riots and looting in Milan. These include deploying an additional 500 soldiers to reinforce public safety operations until December 31. The decree introduces preventive detention for minors under 18 if they pose a threat, expands police powers to issue verbal warnings and ban gatherings for youths with violent records, and creates a new crime of 'violent participation in demonstrations,' punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to €20,000. The law also mandates that parents pay for damages caused by their children. Officials stated these actions were necessary after incidents that injured nearly 200 officers and caused over €1 million in property damage in Milan alone.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the government's actions as necessary responses to unrest, emphasizing expanded police powers and stricter penalties for minors. It frames the measures as protective and lawful, using terms like 'certainty of punishment' and 'security of all.' There is minimal counterbalance or

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan, the preventive detention of minors, and the creation of a new crime for violent participation in protests. It includes specific details such as the duration of military deployment and the legal framework. The content aligns clos

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting the government's actions without overtly favorable or critical language. However, it does include some evaluative phrases like 'inaceptables' (unacceptable) when describing the disturbances, which slightly skews the neutrality.

La Vanguardia logoLa VanguardiaIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 7515 hr. ago
Meloni decrees preventive detention for minors to curb violent protests

The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has approved new security measures aimed at curbing escalating violent protests across the country. These include introducing preventive detention for minors involved in unrest and establishing a new offense for 'violent participation in demonstrations.' The decision follows recent incidents in Milan, where activists carried out looting and arson. In response, 500 additional military personnel will be deployed in the Lombardy region until year-end, though they will lack police powers due to opposition from President Sergio Mattarella. Meloni attributed the disturbances to foreigners, noting that half of those arrested were born outside Italy or have immigrant parents. Economic fines will be imposed on parents of minors involved in the violence to cover damages. The measures come amid broader social tensions, including strikes over inflation in Rome and roadblocks by truck drivers and farmers in southern Italy.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the protests as primarily driven by foreign-born individuals and emphasizes the government’s tough stance through measures like preventive detention for minors and expanded police powers. It quotes Meloni directly and highlights her rhetoric blaming immigrants, while downplaying a

Why factuality (85): The article accurately describes the deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan and the introduction of preventive detention for minors. However, it incorrectly states that the president of the Republic opposed the measure, which is not mentioned in other sources. This introduces a potential factual incons

Why objectivity (75): The article has a clear bias, particularly in blaming foreigners for the disturbances and using phrases like 'firma oposición' (firm opposition) to describe the president's stance, which may not be fully accurate. The tone leans toward supporting the government's actions rather than presenting a bal

elDiario.es logoelDiario.esIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 7522 hr. ago
Meloni's government wants to deploy soldiers on the streets of Milan after last weekend's riots.

The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to deploy 500 military personnel with police powers in Milan to prevent unrest similar to the disturbances that occurred over the weekend. The move was confirmed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during an economic forum in Rome, stating the government would take a firm stance to ensure free commerce after reports of shoplifting in the city center. The deployment was initially announced by Vice President and leader of the far-right League party, Matteo Salvini. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized that the military intervention would need legal approval to function as police forces temporarily, supporting existing police forces for up to three months. Opposition parties criticized the decision as an attempt to militarize the city, while the police union SIAP warned that equipping soldiers with judicial policing roles requires specific training and organization. The weekend’s unrest followed protests against rising living costs in Italy, resulting in significant damage to central Milan, with 270 individuals identified, most of whom were minors.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the government's plan to deploy military personnel and the criticisms from opposition parties and police unions. It includes direct quotes from multiple political figures and organizations, providing balanced perspectives without overtly favoring any side. The framing is客观,

Why factuality (85): The article correctly reports the deployment of 500 soldiers to Milan and the discussion around extending their police powers. However, it lacks specific details about the legal framework or the timeline of the military deployment. It also mentions criticism from the opposition, which adds context b

Why objectivity (75): The article has a clear bias, particularly in highlighting the opposition's criticism of the measure as an attempt to 'militarizar' (militarize) the city. This framing may influence the reader's perception more than the actual facts presented.

El País logoEl PaísIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 8516 hr. ago
Meloni approves by decree the preventive arrest of minors and that they are imputable from 14 years

The Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has approved a decree introducing controversial security measures aimed at minors involved in violent acts. The decree allows for preventive detention or holding minors in police stations for up to 24 hours before public demonstrations if there is suspicion they might commit crimes. It also lowers the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 14 years. These measures were introduced after incidents of violence and looting in Milan over the weekend, where 80% of those detained were under the age of majority. The decree includes provisions requiring parents to compensate for damages caused by their children and introduces a new crime of 'violent participation in a demonstration,' punishable by up to five years in prison.

Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the policies introduced by the far-right government of Giorgia Meloni as a 'hard hand' against minors committing violent acts, emphasizing the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility and harsher penalties. This framing highlights the punitive nature of the policies and is

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The article remains largely neutral in tone, presenting the facts without overtly supportive or critical language. However, it does use terms like 'mano dura' (iron fist) to describe the government's approach, which slightly affects the neutrality.

El Periódico logoEl PeriódicoIndependentConservativeFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 8013 hr. ago
Meloni reinforces Milan with 500 more soldiers and tightens measures against minors after youth riots

The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has increased security in Milan by deploying an additional 500 military personnel following recent youth-related disturbances. The government has also announced stricter measures targeting minors involved in such incidents. These actions come in response to ongoing concerns about public safety and order in the city. The deployment of troops and new policies reflect efforts to address rising tensions and prevent further unrest.

Bias read (Conservative): The article highlights the reinforcement of security through military presence and the imposition of stricter measures against minors, which aligns with a conservative approach to law enforcement and public order. This framing emphasizes strong-handed governance and reflects a right-leaning emphasis

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article uses somewhat biased language by emphasizing the 'reforzamiento' (strengthening) of security and 'endurecimiento' (hardening) of measures, which may imply support for the government's approach. It presents the situation without significant counterpoints or alternative perspectives.

El País logoEl PaísIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 80yesterday
Meloni sends 500 soldiers to Milan after two nights of incidents and looting

The Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has decided to deploy 500 soldiers to Milan to ensure security after two nights of chaos and looting in the city center, mirroring similar actions taken in France. The announcement was made by Vice President and leader of the League party, Matteo Salvini, on Monday afternoon as part of new security measures expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday. Meloni held meetings with several ministers and security officials to agree on decisions such as extending preventive detention to minors, a recently approved measure allowing the detention of suspected individuals before protests. There is also consideration of banning group gatherings in public places for detained minors.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the deployment of military personnel and stricter security measures as responses to unrest, which aligns with right-leaning narratives emphasizing law and order. It highlights actions taken by the ruling party and its leaders, focusing on measures like extended preventive arrests,

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article has a slightly biased tone by referring to the measures as 'nuevas medidas de seguridad' (new security measures) and mentioning the 'emulación de lo sucedido en Francia' (imitation of what happened in France), which may subtly favor the government's position.

El Periódico logoEl PeriódicoIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 702 days ago
Meloni's government is considering deploying more soldiers on the streets in the face of protests by truckers and young people

The Meloni government is considering deploying more military personnel on the streets in response to protests by truck drivers and young people. The protests appear to be related to ongoing social or economic tensions, though specific causes are not detailed in the provided text. The government's potential decision reflects concerns over public order and the impact of these demonstrations on daily life and infrastructure. This move would signal a heightened security response to address the unrest.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a governmental consideration regarding military deployment in response to protests, presenting the situation factually without overtly favoring any side. It does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing that would indicate a clear ideological lean.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (70): The article has a clear bias, focusing on the government's consideration of deploying more soldiers without providing much context or counterpoints. The tone suggests support for the government's approach without presenting a balanced perspective.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories