Italy is set to deploy 500 soldiers with police powers to Milan after violent unrest saw shops looted, windows smashed and officers injured in the city centre. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is preparing an emergency security crackdown following a weekend of rioting that erupted after demonstrations over the cost-of-living crisis and poor public services.
The deployment is expected to be approved by the cabinet on Tuesday, as authorities brace for further unrest at demonstrations planned for Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the government would respond firmly to the violence.