Italy Deploys Troops to Milan Amid Protests Over Cost of Living

Italy is deploying 500 soldiers to Milan following days of protests against the high cost of living that escalated into clashes with police, vandalism, and looting. The move, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, comes after an emergency security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who vowed a “firm response” to the unrest. Police in Milan detained 271 people over the weekend, with 32 arrested, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals, and another 28 referred to judicial authorities. Fourteen police officers were injured, and damage is estimated to exceed €1 million. Luxury stores in Milan’s fashion district have closed or removed merchandise as a precaution.

The government is planning to swiftly approve tougher security measures, including extending preventive detention for minors, cracking down on youth gangs, specifically a group known as “maranza”, and banning gatherings deemed a threat to public order. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated the government will respond firmly to attacks on the state. The deployment and proposed measures follow protests in other northern Italian cities, including Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo, and Turin, where 28 protesters were arrested.

A new protest movement, calling itself 17 October, has emerged on social media, promising further demonstrations in major Italian cities each Saturday “until this government of thieves collapses.” Opposition politicians argue the government is using security as a propaganda tool and failing to address underlying issues like education, housing, and living conditions in marginalized areas. The unrest mirrors a broader wave of violent protests across Europe, particularly in France, where demonstrations over rising prices and government spending cuts have also led to widespread rioting.

Where they differ

• RT led with the announcement of troop deployment, framing it as a defensive measure to ‘defend Milan’ from looting.
• The Guardian emphasized the government’s response as a ‘firm response from the state’ and highlighted opposition criticism of the government's approach.
• RT included a social media post from Matteo Salvini, while The Guardian did not.
• The Guardian reported on protests in other northern Italian cities, while RT focused primarily on the situation in Milan.

What is not yet known

• The long-term impact of the new security measures on civil liberties remains unclear.
• The extent to which the protests are connected to broader European unrest is not fully established.

Background

• Italy deployed 500 troops to Milan following unrest and looting, prompted by protests over the cost of living [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-20].
• Giorgia Meloni has engaged in public disputes with former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his characterization of their interactions at the G7 summit, leading to diplomatic friction [Fact Refinery, 2026-06-19].
• France experienced widespread rioting in multiple cities, prompting the implementation of curfews and significant police deployment [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-20].

Our reading

Our reading is that the Italian government is responding to domestic unrest with a visible show of force and a commitment to stricter security measures. The deployment of troops and proposed legislation suggest a prioritization of order over addressing the root causes of the protests, as highlighted by opposition criticism. The parallel unrest in France, and the reporting of both events together, implies a broader pattern of social and economic discontent across Europe.

What to watch

• The approval of the proposed security measures by the Italian parliament [Italian Parliament website].
• The number of arrests and injuries reported during the next scheduled protest on Saturday [Italian National Police reports].
• Whether the deployment of troops to Milan successfully de-escalates the situation, as measured by a reduction in vandalism and looting [Milan Police Department statistics].

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