French PM seeks partial curfews after domestic riots; Italy holds security meeting

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated on Monday that he has asked regional authorities to impose curfews in some cities. The measures, which Lecornu described as "partial" and "localised," are intended to protect businesses after weekend demonstrations in France spilled over into street violence. Lecornu also accused the "ultra-left movement" of seeking to "orchestrate deep unrest across the country" in the runup to next year's presidential election.

Violence in Milan

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to hold an emergency security meeting on Monday after protests over the rising cost of living broke out into violent clashes in Milan. More than 5,000 people gathered over the weekend. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters, many in masks, threw paving stones, bins and chairs at officers.

"To demonstrate is a right. To lay our cities to waste is not," Meloni said on Saturday, adding that "hooligans" had exploited the protests to "sow chaos".

Arrests and Local Impact

Clashes began on Saturday and continued into Sunday in Milan. According to Italian news agency Ansa, more than 200 people were detained, 80% of whom were minors. The city's prosecutor's office has requested prison sentences for five adults arrested for looting, vandalism and resisting arrest, according to Italian news agency AGI.

Milanese Mayor Giuseppe Sala said he was worried it was a "new phenomenon" that "originates from an international scenario and therefore feeds itself". Speaking to Ansa, he said he witnessed "smashed shop windows, looted stores, and frightened citizens", adding that "what happened here is what we are seeing in many cities around the world".

Italian media reported that people, including police officers, were injured. Violence between protesters and police also rippled into other cities in the north. Meloni said people in Turin were detained while "carrying cobblestones and window-breaking hammers", while a train station in Bologna was closed as a precaution after similar disorder.

Political Reactions

Meloni, who is facing an election next year, called on her political opponents to condemn the rioting. "Do not be ambiguous about this," she said on X, explaining that condemnation must be "unanimous" because "any hesitation becomes justification".

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein said her party had always condemned violence and that the rioting should not be used to stifle the voices of peaceful protesters across the country who are struggling to make a living, Ansa reported.

Why it matters

The unrest highlights growing social tensions in Europe, with similar youth-led protests occurring in France, Spain and Albania. In France, the government is under pressure after widespread violence, while in Italy, the political response has focused on distinguishing between peaceful demonstration and criminal activity.

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Sources

• france24.com: REPLAY: French PM speaks after crisis meeting - France 24
• bbc.com: Meloni calls emergency meeting after violent clashes in Milan

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.