Rome, Milan brace for fresh protests

Rome and Milan have dispatched more soldiers, while shops are urged to remain open as Italy prepares for additional protests. The demonstrations, organized by groups such as the "October 17 Movement" and the "Anti-imperialist Axis," will take place in eight cities on Saturday. These protests are a response to budget cuts and rising costs of living, including housing and fuel prices.

Rome's police force stated they will "saturate both physical and virtual territory" to monitor the events, using drones and helicopters if necessary. They reiterated their commitment to protect the right to protest, provided it adheres to the law. In Milan, additional soldiers will patrol the city center, but Mayor Giuseppe Sala assured the public there would be no attempt to close the city.

He advised shop owners not to shut their establishments on Saturday, following the looting of boutiques and closure of others during last weekend's unrest. Sala emphasized the importance of maintaining public order, stating, "If panic spreads then everything stops."

The protests have already resulted in truck drivers blocking streets and tram tracks near Naples's port due to fuel price hikes. A second wave of demonstrations is anticipated. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's conservative government recently passed a security decree that loosens rules for minors' detention, introduces penalties for violent protest participation, and imposes fines on parents for damages caused by their children.

Police conducted numerous raids last weekend to apprehend suspects involved in looting and rioting. In response to the fuel price crisis, the government approved measures to assist truck drivers and fishermen. Most of the fuel blockades that had disrupted southern Italy have been resolved.