AI Image
Meloni calls emergency meeting after violent clashes in Milan
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold an emergency security meeting following violent clashes during protests over the rising cost of living in Milan, where over 5,000 people gathered and police used tear gas and water cannons against rioters.
- The protests, involving masked individuals throwing objects at police, resulted in more than 200 detentions, with 80% being minors, and ongoing violence spreading to other northern cities like Turin and Bologna.
- Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala described the unrest as a "new phenomenon" influenced by international factors, noting widespread damage including looted stores and smashed windows.
- Meloni condemned the violence and called for unanimous political condemnation, warning against any ambiguity that could justify the riots, while opposition leader Elly Schlein emphasized the importance of distinguishing between violent rioters and peaceful protesters.
