The Italian government is sending hundreds of military personnel into the nation’s financial capital to quell the sporadic riots that have plagued the city.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told the media on Tuesday that the government’s response will be “very tough” and the coming wave of soldiers will operate in coordination with prosecutors to hold demonstrators responsible.
“Five hundred military personnel, who will also be granted judicial police powers, will be deployed to help ensure security and carry out robust preventive measures,” Tajani said.
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<p> ” data-large-file=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots.jpg” src=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots.jpg” alt=”Italy Milan Riots” class=”wp-image-4772064″ srcset=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots.webp 1024w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots.webp?resize=768,512 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
Demonstrators and riot police clash during a protest against the high cost of living, in Milan, Italy, Saturday Oct. 17, 2026. (Stefano Porta/LaPresse via AP)He continued: “Furthermore, a series of regulatory and legal decisions will be introduced to make it more difficult for minors to engage in criminal activity.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has taken a hard stance against the crowds “setting our cities ablaze.”
The riots, contemporaneous with the much larger chaos in France, began as protests over the cost of living but quickly mutated into bedlam. Photos and videos emerging from Milan show vandals wearing masks and black outfits smashing windows, looting storefronts, and attacking police officers.
A group of demonstrators set a massive fire in the city square in front of the Milan Cathedral, one of the region’s most iconic and historic sites.
Meloni called the violent protesters “thugs who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those who ensure security, and hold entire cities hostage.”
The national government is currently preparing a package of legislation that would grant the police broader powers and expand prosecutors’ scope for arrests related to crimes committed by protesters.
One proposal is an extension of preventive detention time from 12 hours to 24 hours — and allowing minors to be held.
Other proposals include harsher penalties for riot-related damage and greater ability for police to arrest criminals after the fact through evidence such as videos and photos published online.
The right-wing Lega party, part of the governing coalition, has suggested introducing “group vandalism” as a distinct category of crime.
FRANCE ON FIRE — A DANGEROUS INFLECTION POINT FOR THE WEST
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<p> ” data-large-file=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots-1.jpg” src=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots-1.jpg” alt=”Carabinieri” class=”wp-image-4772066″ srcset=”https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots-1.webp 1024w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots-1.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https://conservativemodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/italy-sending-hundreds-of-soldiers-into-milan-to-quell-days-of-violent-riots-1.webp?resize=768,512 768w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”><figcaption class=)
Carabinieri officers talk to people in Duomo square, Milan, Italy, a day after rioters clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire, Monday, Oct. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, a member of Lega, has also called for those found to have organized riots to be held financially responsible for the cost of damages.
LE PEN VOWS TO END ‘DECADES OF ANARCHIC IMMIGRATION’ AS FRANCE IS TORN APART BY RIOTS
The riots in France are far greater in size and scope than their Italian counterparts, with the national government unable to quell the chaos despite weeks of effort.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced sweeping curfews in Paris and other major cities that seem to have successfully prevented overnight riots, but a fresh round of protests is scheduled for the weekend.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said military personnel will be deployed in anticipation of the weekend restart, aimed at bolstering operations already undertaken by the police and gendarmes.
