Andrea Innocenti The public order summit convened at Palazzo Chigi was held in the presence of key ministers and security forces leaders to address the tensions that have erupted in the streets, particularly in Milan . At the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her personal and government condolences to Police Chief Vittorio Pisani for the death of Inspector Antonio Villani, extending her condolences to his family and to the entire police force.
The meeting, which lasted about an hour and a half, discussed intelligence reports and concerns about incidents of violence attributed to groups of youths who have sparked urban unrest. The meeting came as Milan experienced a new wave of clashes, with damage to and attacks on police vehicles. The prime minister emphasized the need to " evaluate additional measures against those who exploit legitimate demonstrations to sow violence and chaos ."
Participants and duration of the summit at Palazzo Chigi
In addition to Meloni and Police Chief Pisani , the meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini (via video link) and Antonio Tajani, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto , and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida . Also present were Undersecretaries to the Prime Minister's Office Alfredo Mantovano and Giovanbattista Fazzolari , the heads of the Carabinieri Police Force , the Guardia di Finanza , and representatives of the intelligence services.
The meeting was operational in nature to take stock of the management of the demonstrations and the risks of escalation.
The proposals discussed: measures on minors and repressive instruments
During the meeting, several concrete proposals were put forward. One of the emerging lines of thought concerns specific provisions for minors involved in riots, with the need for a discussion with the Quirinale on constitutional and procedural issues. Attention was drawn to previous interventions, with the idea of measures inspired by the Caivano decree and the possible transposition into the decree of some measures already contained in the security bill passed in mid-July.
Among the proposals put forward by some members of the majority, and particularly relaunched by Salvini, are ex officio prosecution for assaults against public officials, a prison sentence of up to five years for group damage, and fines of up to €15,000 . There was also discussion of a ban on gatherings for those responsible for group violence, the introduction of the crime of group damage , and the possibility of deferred arrest . There was no shortage of operational proposals, such as strengthening Safe Streets, the use of devices such as tasers, and a review of the use of water cannons, as well as the reintroduction of bail for demonstration organizers.
Requests from the center-right and references to past cases
The ruling party and coalition forces have also called for tougher regulations: the FdI ( Italian Communist Party) has called for extending the crime of criminal association to those who organize violent acts, citing experiences such as the No TAV riots in Val Susa . The center-right has also raised the possibility of convening a Council of Ministers in the Lombardy capital as a sign of solidarity with the affected citizens and businesses, a proposal that requires further consideration by the government.
It was recalled that a preventative lockdown had already been introduced in February following riots related to a demonstration, a measure that drew criticism from some opposition parties for its effectiveness. Current options will be evaluated in the coming days: government sources indicate that there are no plans to examine draft decrees during the summit, but they do not rule out the possibility that, if an urgent measure is decided upon, it could be brought to the next Council of Ministers , which some sources indicate could be held on Friday.
The political debate remains heated: the majority is demanding speed and more effective tools for law enforcement, while parts of the opposition are raising doubts about the enforcement of existing laws and the responsibilities of public safety authorities. In the background, the firm condemnation of all public violence remains, and the commemoration of Inspector Antonio Villani remains the focus of Giorgia Meloni's condolences to Police Chief Vittorio Pisani.