Italy Protests

Rising food and fuel prices, a lack of funding for education, the state of public services, and access to housing have created the perfect breeding ground for a fall of protests across Europe. Crowds have been taking to the streets for weeks in the continent’s major cities. Last weekend saw some of the largest demonstrations in recent years, leaving a trail of arrests, looting, injuries, and violence in cities that have turned into battlefields in France, Italy and Albania. In Spain and Portugal, camps have been set up in the streets. In most cases, the protesters are mostly young people who have had enough, but rioters have also taken part.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures in response to violent protests in Milan after weekend riots caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district. The government will deploy 500 additional soldiers to Milan through the end of the year. Parents will be required to pay for damage caused by minors, and the measures will make it easier to prosecute minors over 14. The decree also creates a criminal offense for violent participation in demonstrations, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine. The measures take effect immediately but must be converted into law by parliament within 60 days.