Politics · Italy · 5 hrs ago
Mattarella condemns Milan violence as government prepares security measures
President Sergio Mattarella condemned the violence in Milan after a weekend of clashes and shop looting.
He also called for a careful analysis, noting that some people involved were new to this kind of unrest and that some looters were minors with no political affiliation.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is preparing a security decree in response to unrest in several Italian cities.
The proposed measures could include holding minors preventively for up to 24 hours, new prevention powers and changes to rules on arrests for damage during demonstrations.
The government also plans to send 500 more soldiers to Milan, with a proposal to let them temporarily act with police powers while supporting police forces.
The decree is not yet finalized, and officials are still reviewing its legal details.
It is expected to go before the Council of Ministers on October 20, though the sources say the timing could change.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella condemned violence in Milan and called for a thorough analysis of unrest involving what he described as previously unseen groups.
The violence followed weekend protests and included looting and damage to shops, with young people, including minors, involved.
The Italian government is preparing a security decree and says it will respond firmly to the unrest.
Possible measures include preventive detention, expanded police powers for troops and a stronger military presence in Milan.
Reports said the decree was still being drafted, and some proposed measures had not been finalised.
- Who
- President Sergio Mattarella condemned the violence; Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is preparing security measures.
- What
- Mattarella called for a thorough analysis and vigilance after violence and looting in Milan. The government is preparing a security decree.
- When
- Mattarella spoke on 19 October 2026, after weekend clashes; the decree was expected to go before the Council of Ministers the following day.
- Where
- Milan, with unrest also reported in other Italian cities.
- Why
- The unrest followed protests against the high cost of living and included violence, shop damage and looting.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Clashes and looting took place in Milan after protests, with unrest also reported in other cities.
Mattarella condemned the violence and called for an in-depth analysis and vigilance.
Meloni chaired a government meeting on public order as officials worked on a security decree.
The decree was expected to be considered by the Council of Ministers, subject to changes.
- President
- Sergio Mattarella
- Government leader
- Giorgia Meloni
- Planned decree
- Expected before the Council of Ministers on 20 October 2026
- Potential military reinforcement
- 500 additional troops for Milan
- Proposed troop role
- Support for police for three months
- Unrest locations
- Milan, Turin and Bologna
5 sources
Mattarella: 'A Milano violenze inaccettabili, serve un'analisi approfondita'
Mattarella sui fatti di Milano: «Ogni violenza è inaccettabile, piena solidarietà alle forze dell'ordine»
Scontri a Milano, Mattarella: “Violenze esplose in modo inatteso da soggetti inediti, occorre un’analisi approfondita”
Mattarella sui fatti di Milano: «Violenze inaccettabili da soggetti inediti, serve analisi e vigilanza»
Demonstrationen: Meloni kündigt nach Krawallen hartes Vorgehen an
What people are saying
Ogni violenza è inaccettabile
occorre un'analisi intelligente e approfondita
Abbiamo necessità che domani il Cdm approvi delle norme che consentano loro di poter agire come le forze di polizia, solo nel tempo necessario per dare supporto a Carabinieri, Polizia e Guardia di Finanza (cioè 3 mesi), di fronte a fenomeni come quelli cui abbiamo assistito