Under the new plan, prosecuting minors over the age of 14 will become easier. People involved in violent demonstrations could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to 20,000 euros.
The measures come after violent clashes in Milan on Saturday, when protesters looted shops, set fire to property and clashed with police. The incidents caused an estimated 1 million euros in damage.
Meloni said the Cabinet had approved a decree introducing new measures to prevent and address such violence.
“We have all seen the images of the violence that took place over the weekend in Milan and other Italian cities. Shops were looted, windows were smashed and security forces were attacked. These are scenes that cannot be accepted in any way, and no one should think of downplaying or justifying them. That is why the Council of Ministers today passed a decree introducing new measures to prevent and tackle this violence,” Meloni said.
She added that the new measures would complement steps approved in recent months, including biometric identification, with the assistance of artificial intelligence, to identify people concealing their faces behind masks or hoods.
Meloni also addressed the identity and conduct of those involved in the demonstrations. She said the unrest involved groups known for causing disturbances and looking for opportunities to provoke clashes during public marches.
However, she pointed to what she described as a new and concerning element in the latest incidents: the participation of hundreds of very young people, many of them minors, who had gathered in small groups after watching a video on social media.
According to Meloni, these young people had taken to the streets to vandalise property, commit theft and record videos of themselves carrying out such acts.
She warned that the trend required serious attention to prevent similar incidents from becoming examples for others to imitate.
The Italian government's latest measures seek to strengthen security in Milan, impose tougher consequences for participation in violent demonstrations and address the role of minors in acts of vandalism and looting.
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