Meloni calls security meeting after second day of Milan unrest
Giorgia Meloni called a public-order meeting for October 19 after fresh clashes and looting in Milan on October 18. The second day brought more than 200 people to police premises for identification by the evening, according to ANSA. That figure is separate from the previous day’s nationwide arrests. The new response accompanies a dispute over policing and opposition calls to address peaceful protesters’ living-cost concerns.
Geopolitics··Midday
Government meeting follows new clashes
Fresh clashes occurred in Milan on October 18, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a public-order meeting for Monday.[1], [2]
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a public-order meeting for October 19 after new unrest broke out in central Milan on October 18. The fresh clashes came a day after the cost-of-living demonstrations that had already seen violence in several cities in Italy. Meloni said the meeting at Palazzo Chigi would review the situation and consider further measures against people using legitimate demonstrations to spread violence. The announcement concerns the government’s response to a second day of disorder, rather than only the first day’s provisional casualty and detention figures. By October 18 evening, ANSA reported more than 200 people brought to police premises for identification in Milan.[1]
Sunday identification holds differ from Saturday arrests
Groups gathered again around Piazza Duomo on October 18. Windows were broken and shops looted around Via Torino, Cordusio and Corso Garibaldi. Police used tear gas and water cannon in response to objects being thrown. The Galleria was secured and the cathedral closed early to tourists. ANSA put the proportion of minors among those brought in at roughly 80 percent. That identification tally is separate from the previous day’s nationwide figures: 197 people identified and taken to police offices, 28 arrests and 43 people reported to judicial authorities. Those different categories and dates should not be combined into a single arrest count. Neither identification nor detention establishes a conviction.[1]
Policing dispute accompanies living-cost demands
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala questioned whether Saturday’s available police resources had been sufficient. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi rejected that criticism, as did Senate president Ignazio La Russa. Opposition party +Europa asked for the interior minister to address parliament. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein condemned those responsible for violence while warning against using their actions to silence peaceful people struggling with living costs. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte also condemned violence and urged attention to economic difficulties affecting families, young people and businesses. The dispute over policing accompanied the announced government meeting. Meloni’s call identifies a next political response, without establishing which additional tools the government may adopt.[1]
