The Italian government plans to deploy 500 troops to Milan following looting and clashes between police and protesters over the weekend, prompting luxury brands to close their stores in Italy’s largest northern city.
Demonstrations are taking place across Italy, involving school and university students, farmers, and truck drivers protesting the rising cost of living. The cabinet is likely to approve the army deployment and grant the military temporary powers to support security forces in the city during a meeting on Tuesday.
Violent clashes with police on Saturday and Sunday resulted in hundreds of arrests and dozens of police officers being injured. Several stores in Italy’s fashion capital were looted.
New protests are expected next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the government is considering additional measures to curb the protests, including imposing restrictions on public gatherings, easing detention conditions for minors, and enforcing stricter penalties on their parents.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described the clashes as "disgraceful," saying on local radio that the cabinet would announce a package of "immediate measures," including the deployment of army personnel.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed hope on Monday, in a post on the "X" platform, that the cabinet would approve measures granting the army the authority to act as police officers.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose right-wing and far-right coalition government faces new elections in 2027, described those responsible for Saturday's vandalism as "thugs exploiting the demonstrations to spread chaos, attack those ensuring security, and hold entire cities hostage."
