Lucrezia Ciotti Following the clashes and looting that rocked Milan , President Sergio Mattarella is calling on institutions to be firm and carefully analyze the new forms of violence. Meanwhile, the government is preparing a security decree with new measures against those responsible for the riots and 500 additional soldiers in the Lombardy capital. Reactions from the majority, from Matteo Salvini to Guido Crosetto and Antonio Tajani, are coming in, while concerns are growing about the economic damage and the risk of new protests.
Milan, 500 more soldiers and a new security decree: reactions from Salvini, Crosetto, and Tajani
Following the weekend's devastation and looting, the government is preparing a new security crackdown, with 500 additional troops deployed in Milan and possible tougher measures against those responsible for the unrest. The decision comes after a meeting convened by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, during which methods to prevent further violence were examined.
Proposals under consideration include extending preventive detention to up to 24 hours for minors , strengthening preventive measures, and deferred arrest for certain crimes committed during demonstrations. The text, expected before the Council of Ministers on October 20, is still undergoing technical review.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto explained that the strengthening of Operation Safe Roads must be accompanied by provisions allowing the military to perform specific support functions for the police forces for three months.
" We need the Council of Ministers to approve regulations tomorrow that allow them to act like the police ," he declared on X. Meanwhile, in central Milan, several shops have lowered their shutters for fear of further riots, especially in the fashion district. Despite the online circulation of a new call to gather on the afternoon of Monday, October 19, the day passed without further looting, although there were moments of tension during a center-right demonstration. The economic toll remains heavy: according to Confcommercio Milano, the damage to commercial businesses amounts to approximately one million euros , to which must be added the losses related to closures and cancellations recorded by hotels and restaurants. Thirty-two people were arrested , including 23 minors.
On the political front, Matteo Salvini called for a stronger military presence in the city, writing on social media: " From words to action! 500 more soldiers to defend Milan. Lega victory ." The Deputy Prime Minister also called for preventing Piazza Duomo from becoming the scene of violent incidents again, emphasizing the need to protect the city's symbolic sites.
Antonio Tajani expressed solidarity with law enforcement, merchants, and citizens, assuring them that the government intends to respond to the attacks, including through measures aimed at minors responsible for violence. The Foreign Minister also drew attention to the businesses forced to remain closed for fear of further raids. The government is now finalizing the decree, while questions remain about how the new rules will be implemented and what safeguards will be provided.
Mattarella, after the clashes in Milan, called for vigilance: "Any violence is unacceptable."
Italian President Sergio Mattarella spoke out following the violence that struck Milan, expressing solidarity with law enforcement and urging institutions to address the issue with caution. During the opening ceremony of the 39th National Assembly of Italian Provinces in Imperia, the head of state reiterated that " All violence is unacceptable ," while emphasizing that condemning these incidents must be accompanied by a thorough understanding of the dynamics that led to them. Mattarella, in fact, called for " an intelligent and thorough analysis " and " careful vigilance to counteract violence ." The president placed particular emphasis on the demonstrations that appear to be erupting unpredictably and involving "unprecedented individuals," a circumstance that, in his words, " raises questions worth reflecting on from various perspectives ."
The Quirinale's appeal comes as the government prepares new measures to combat rioting and looting, including those involving numerous minors. Mattarella also emphasized the role of institutions in ensuring community safety , reiterating his support for those committed to maintaining public order. His intervention thus falls within the debate on how to respond to the violence, at a time when Palazzo Chigi is working on a measure that must take into account both the need to prevent further incidents and compliance with legal guarantees.