Chiara Nava The government is accelerating new security measures following the violence and looting that marked the weekend in several Italian cities , with Milan at the center of attention. The government led by Giorgia Meloni aims to provide a rapid response, reassure residents and businesses, and prevent further incidents in light of upcoming protests. A decree is expected on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 20, which could preempt some provisions already contained in the security bill currently being examined by the Senate.
Among the proposals are extending preventive detention to minors, deferred arrest for those involved in group destruction and property damage, and strengthening the Safe Streets operation. The content is still being finalized and will need to be verified in the final text.
Guerrilla Warfare in Milan: Why the Government Wants to Intervene Immediately
The speed of the response depends both on the weekend's events and the schedule for the coming weeks.
Following the tensions on Saturday and the looting that took place in Milan on Sunday , the executive aims to introduce new instruments before the subsequent demonstrations announced in the capital and the strikes planned for the end of October and November.
The government had already discussed some of these measures in previous months, but the unrest has accelerated the discussions. Also on the table is strengthening the Safe Streets program: according to preliminary reports, 500 additional soldiers could arrive in Milan , with a planned deployment of three months.
It is also being considered whether to grant them specific operational powers to support the police forces.
The decree should also address the prevention of gang violence and property damage during demonstrations. However, the measures must be defined in accordance with the guarantees provided by law and the responsibilities of the various authorities.
Salvini: "There will be immediate responses."
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini outlined some of the proposals , reiterating the need to accelerate action. Among the priorities outlined by the League is the extension of pre-trial detention to minors deemed at risk of involvement in violent incidents.
" There will be immediate responses ," Salvini declared , explaining that these measures were not designed exclusively for the events of Saturday and Sunday, but rather ones the government had been working on for some time. The League leader also mentioned deferred arrest , which would allow intervention based on documentary evidence, such as CCTV footage, in cases provided for by law.
Salvini also relaunched the proposal to deny citizenship to those convicted of serious crimes such as drug dealing, devastation, or robbery . Here too, it will be necessary to distinguish between political proposals and the provisions that will actually be included in the bill.
The Deputy Prime Minister finally addressed the responsibilities of families , arguing that parents should also be financially liable for the damages caused by their children in the cases provided for by law. The final text of the decree and its eventual parliamentary process will clarify which measures will actually be adopted and how.