Security summit concludes at Palazzo Chigi, new mobilisation announced for Saturday

The public order summit convened this morning by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following the second night of guerrilla clashes in Milan concluded in the afternoon of 19 October at Palazzo Chigi. Compared to this morning, when only the convocation was known, the contents of the discussion have now emerged: the government is considering new measures against those who sow chaos during demonstrations, including a possible intervention modelled on the Caivano decree regarding minors involved in episodes of violence.

The toll of the clashes over the past two nights stands at 14 members of the security forces injured, 271 people taken to police headquarters and 32 arrests.

On the front of political proposals, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini has called for rapid action on the legislative front.

“Speed up on the anti-maranza law” — Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure

Of opposite tenor was the criticism from Italia Viva leader Matteo Renzi, who pointed the finger at the government’s handling of public order.

“Meloni and Piantedosi aren’t stopping the maranza, a new minister is needed” — Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva

While the government was discussing matters at Palazzo Chigi, the so-called Movimento 17 ottobre announced a permanent mobilisation every Saturday at 3pm in various Italian squares, starting with Milan. The announcement signals that street tension, far from dying down after the two nights of clashes, is turning into a recurring appointment, posing the government a public order management problem that is not limited to a single weekend.

The conclusion of the summit leaves two issues open: the timing and content of any possible legislative intervention on minors, and the management of the upcoming Saturday mobilisations already scheduled by the movement promoting the protests.