Italy announced on Tuesday that it will station an additional 500 soldiers in Milan through the end of the year in response to violent protests that erupted over the weekend. The unrest saw groups of young people, some as young as 14, loot stores and set fire to property in the city’s central shopping district.

The government issued a decree that expands police powers and introduces new penalties for violent participation in demonstrations. Offenders who cover their faces or cause injury could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to 20,000 euros. Parents will be held financially responsible for damage caused by minors, and anyone over 14 will be presumed to understand the consequences of their actions unless a judge rules otherwise.

Premier Giorgia Meloni described the scenes as “painful and frightening,” saying that the presence of so many youths intent on destruction was a phenomenon that needed to be addressed seriously. The decree also calls for additional detention beds and more juvenile justice judges.

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds, and more than 100 officers were injured over the two days of clashes. Authorities reported that roughly 2,000 youths took part in the Saturday night disturbances, including many who were naturalised Italians born to foreign parents as well as foreign nationals. About 50 people were arrested, and more than 30 of those were minors.

The unrest coincided with protests in neighbouring France against rising living costs and in support of high‑school students’ grievances. French police also deployed tear gas and water cannons to break up violent demonstrators who joined those rallies.

The decree must be converted into law by parliament within 60 days, after which the new security measures will take effect.