The government has tightened its grip following the clashes in Milan and the street riots in several cities over the weekend. "The state will provide a firm response," is the line that emerged from the public order summit chaired yesterday by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi , attended by ministers, undersecretaries to the Prime Minister's office Alfredo Mantovano and Giovanbattista Fazzolari, and the heads of the police and intelligence forces. The meeting analyzed the events, stating that the phenomenon appears "complex," with new aspects compared to the past and a "variety of causes" yet to be deciphered. Therefore, it was decided to intervene today with a decree law , a text that the legislative offices are currently finalizing and should reach the ministers' desks this afternoon.
THE MEASURES – The measure could incorporate some measures already contained in the security bill approved by the Council of Ministers in July and now under consideration by the Senate. These include the extension of preventive detention to minors and for periods exceeding 12 hours, the deferred arrest for those responsible for group damage, and a ban on gatherings for individuals deemed a threat to public order. Additionally, the aim would be to strengthen the "Safe Streets" operation , and the government is preparing to reinforce the deployment of 500 additional military personnel in Milan.
Yesterday evening on X, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto clarified what the military will have to do: "We need the Council of Ministers to approve regulations that allow them to act like the police force , only for the time necessary to support the Carabinieri, the Police, and the Guardia di Finanza (i.e., 3 months ), in the face of phenomena like those we have witnessed." "From words to action," exulted Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who spoke of a "victory for the League," as did the two League undersecretaries Nicola Molteni (of the Interior) and Andrea Ostellari (of Justice), who announced some of the contents of the decree: "the extension of preventive detention up to 24 hours," "the strengthening of preventive measures, starting with the oral warning under the jurisdiction of the police commissioner," but also "the introduction of the crime of aggravated damage and "mandatory arrest for the crimes of devastation during demonstrations, with the possibility of deferred arrest within 48 hours."
The government also intends to increase penalties for roadblocks, in light of what is happening in Southern Italy.
(Unioneonline/vl)