ROME — Italy is introducing a new criminal offense: “organized violence at public demonstrations.” The government’s emergency decree also extends preventive detention to minors, imposes fines on their parents and provides for the deployment of 500 paratroopers without judicial police powers.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s crackdown on the demonstrators who wreaked havoc in Milan has also led to a tense standoff with President Sergio Mattarella. After hours of negotiations, eight articles, revised until the last minute, reached the Cabinet and won approval in a compromise with a clear electoral undertone.

Meloni defended the measures in a video posted on social media, leaving Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio to field questions from reporters.

“Demonstrating is a right,” Meloni said from her office at Palazzo Chigi, challenging the left to condemn violence “without ambiguity, without justifications.”

She added: “Turning our cities into war zones is not a right. We have said so, and we will prove it through our actions.”

The government’s immediate priority is to send a clear signal ahead of new demonstrations scheduled for Saturday. To reinforce the Strade Sicure (“Safe Streets”) security operation, the Defense Ministry will deploy troops from the Folgore Paratroopers Brigade, part of the Army’s rapid-response reserve force, which can mobilize within 36 hours. The deployment will cost nearly €5 million.

“They will work alongside the Police and the Carabinieri, and we are providing more judges and additional places in juvenile detention facilities,” Meloni said. “We want to ensure that sentences are served, even by those who are 16.”

Several members of the governing coalition, however, were quick to note that the brigade was once commanded by Roberto Vannacci, now a prominent political figure. The deployment was intended to send an even stronger message, according to the government, by granting soldiers judicial police powers — a proposal vigorously championed by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. He reportedly erupted during the Cabinet meeting, asking: “So what are they going there to do?”

As it stands, troops deployed to the streets will not have the authority to detain suspects. That provision was dropped from the decree following consultations with the presidential palace, which Piantedosi described as “always very fluid.”

The negotiations forced Alfredo Mantovano, the Undersecretary to the Prime Minister responsible for coordinating government policy, to rewrite the final sections of the text after the Cabinet meeting had already begun. The changes ultimately allowed the government to extend preventive detention — previously applicable only to adults — to minors as well, reversing an earlier decision to exclude them.

The decree creates a new offense of organized violence at public demonstrations. If, during a protest, “you join a group of five or more people and start throwing stones, firecrackers or sticks,” Meloni explained, “you put everyone’s safety at risk.”

The offense carries a prison sentence of two to five years and a fine of €10,000 to €20,000. Penalties increase by one-third if offenders cover their faces, someone is injured, or firecrackers and other objects are thrown at transport and telecommunications infrastructure or at movable or immovable property used for public functions or services.

Those who organize or promote such groups, including through digital tools, or encourage or incite these acts face prison sentences of 4 to 12 years.

The decree also increases penalties for looting, destruction and property damage committed during demonstrations or by organized groups.

The crackdown is particularly severe when it comes to young people. Preventive detention for periods ranging from 12 to 24 hours is now extended to minors. Parents and other adults legally responsible for minors may also be fined for damage caused during public demonstrations, unless they can prove they were unable to prevent it.

The fines range from €500 to €1,000 and rise to between €1,000 and €2,000 for repeat offenses. Prefects, the government’s representatives in Italy’s provinces, may also order parents to compensate the state, regional authorities or local governments for damage caused by their children.

Preventive measures have also been strengthened. Under the decree, Police Chiefs may issue formal warnings on security grounds to groups of five or more people, including minors.

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