Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to approve emergency security measures in response to violent protests that erupted in Milan over rising costs.
What happened
Protesters, many of whom were masked, clashed with police, throwing objects such as paving stones, bins, and chairs. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, detaining over 250 people, with 80% of them being minors. The protests also resulted in looting and property damage, with high-end shops in the city center closing early and boarding up their windows.
The expected crackdown includes extending preventative detention to minors and restricting group gatherings. Measures to crack down on youth gangs are also expected to be approved as part of a decree law. Local media reports suggest that social media was used to invite young people to Italy's squares over the weekend.
Milanese Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed concern over the violence, stating that it represents a new phenomenon connected to unrest in other countries.
