Symbolic imageItaly deploys troops to Milan and toughens protest penalties after riots
Italy's cabinet approved a protest decree on Tuesday and will station 500 more soldiers in Milan until year-end. Unrest over living costs is spreading across Europe.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the decree creates the offence of “violent participation in a demonstration”, extends preventive detention to minors and makes parents pay for damage their children cause. According to Politika, anyone joining a group of five or more that throws stones or fireworks risks up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Meloni said nearly 200 police officers were injured and 330 people detained in the weekend riots, half of them of “foreign origin”. She called the violence crime, not protest: “Demonstrating is a right, but wrecking our cities is not.”
Soldiers without police powers
Defence minister Guido Crosetto had wanted the troops to arrest suspects and carry out searches for three months. Le Monde reports that the decree leaves this out because President Sergio Mattarella opposed it.
Mayor and unions raise causes
Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala condemned the violence but said the response is “not only repression” and that politics must address its causes. The CGIL union has announced a general strike for 20 November, and new protests are expected on Saturday.
Portugal clears housing camps
Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps and arrested 55 people, Reuters reports.
French unrest hits business
French riots have hit insurers and retailers, and Carrefour has cut its outlook.