Italy to approve decree expanding police powers on minors
Italy will approve an emergency security decree on Tuesday granting law enforcement authorities expanded powers to detain minors at police stations for up to 12 hours without a formal crime, following a weekend of violent protests and looting in Milan and other cities, officials said. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced the upcoming measures to RTL radio, stating that police will be permitted to hold individuals under the age of 18 if evidence suggests they pose a danger, Reuters reported.
Emergency Decree and Military Deployment in Milan
The emergency cabinet meeting called for Tuesday follows weekend demonstrations over poor public services and rising costs that deteriorated into unrest. Several hundred hooded individuals, many believed by authorities to be minors, set fire to waste bins and looted retail shops in central city districts. In response to the disturbances, Rome is scheduled to deploy an additional 500 army troops to Milan ahead of further demonstrations planned for Saturday.
We want to intervene quickly on young people,
Salvini told RTL radio, citing online calls for further retail raids. People on TikTok are saying they plan to raid stores in Como on Saturday. We cannot wait until Saturday afternoon to intervene.
Interior Undersecretary Nicola Molteni told broadcaster Radio 24 that the emergency decree will immediately implement security rules previously debated in parliament. These rules are expected to include barring youths from attending specific events or entering designated areas if authorities suspect they may endanger public safety.
Meloni Enacts Security Crackdowns as Prison Population Grows
The new measures build on a legislative pattern established by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration. Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has enacted a steady stream of security crackdowns. Critics argue these policies fail to address the underlying causes of crime and disorder, pointing instead to systemic issues within the nation’s correctional facilities. Government data indicates that Italy’s prison population has grown by more than 17% over a four-year period, adding nearly 10,000 inmates.
Marina Prosperi, a criminal defense lawyer in Bologna, stated that the continuous introduction of new criminal offenses primarily increases the legal risks associated with public demonstrations, particularly for migrants applying for residence permits or citizenship.
Energy Costs Complicate Budget Plans Amid Wealth Disparities
The recent civil unrest unfolds as rising energy costs complicate fiscal planning for Meloni’s government. Officials are currently working to finalize next year’s budget—the final spending plan before a national election scheduled for late 2027—while attempting to fund promised tax cuts and public spending increases despite climbing energy expenses.