Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a decree on Tuesday that will deploy an extra 500 soldiers to Milan for the remainder of the year, tighten penalties for violent protest participation, and make parents responsible for property damage caused by their children. The new law creates a five‑year‑maximum prison term and a €20,000 fine for violent demonstrators, with harsher sanctions if the offender masks their face or an injury occurs.
The decree also presumes that anyone over 14 understands their actions unless proven otherwise, eliminating the need for a judge to determine capacity in juvenile cases. A further clause expands juvenile detention facilities and assigns additional judges to the juvenile justice system.
Weekend riots erupted Saturday night when roughly 2,000 youths—including a significant number of naturalised Italians and foreign nationals—clashed with police, looted stores, and set shops on Via Montenapoleone ablaze. Over 100 officers were wounded, and 50 people were arrested, more than 30 of them minors.
Meloni posted a video of the chaos, describing the large presence of young rioters as "painful and frightening," and warned that footage of vandalism could inspire future outbreaks. "We must address this phenomenon seriously," she said, adding that the government will add beds to detention centres.
Milan police said the riot lasted two days, with tear gas and water cannons used to disperse the crowd. The decree will be sent to Parliament, where it must be converted into law within 60 days, after which it will take full effect.
A shop owner on Via Montenapoleone reported a loss of €50,000 in merchandise and damage to a €120,000 display case, citing the new decree as a potential deterrent for future vandalism.