--- title: "Soldiers Deployed to Milan as Italy Prepares for Fresh Protests This Weekend" url: https://newscentral.site/soldiers-deployed-to-milan-as-italy-prepares-for-fresh-protests-this/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-24T11:14:43.000Z updated: 2026-10-24T12:34:48.143Z id: d4a2fbda-d0ad-4ae4-b4be-8b18b6353fd7 source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/hundreds-soldiers-milan-protests-planned-europe-137534380" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/soldiers-deployed-to-milan-as-italy-prepares-for-fresh-protests-this/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Soldiers Deployed to Milan as Italy Prepares for Fresh Protests This Weekend The Italian government has taken measures to quell unrest in Milan by deploying hundreds of soldiers alongside thousands of police officers. Italy has taken drastic measures to quell potential unrest in Milan, deploying hundreds of soldiers to the city as it prepares for fresh protests this weekend. The move comes after last week's riots saw looting and clashes between protesters and police. The Italian government has announced a range of new security measures, including sending an additional 500 troops to Milan, which will join hundreds already stationed in the city. These reinforcements will be deployed alongside around 5,000 police officers and other law enforcement personnel who are working to maintain order. Protests are planned not just in Italy but across Europe this weekend, with cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Tirana among those expecting demonstrations. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has expressed concerns about a repeat of last week's violence and welcomed the deployment of more soldiers to support local authorities. As part of its security efforts, the city is conducting extensive surveillance using drones, monitoring railway stations, rapid-response units, and online platforms for potential calls to violence. Security measures in Milan are being expanded to surrounding neighborhoods, as authorities fear protesters may try to avoid heavily policed areas. This move comes amid concerns that demonstrators could spread out across the city, making it more difficult for law enforcement to maintain control. According to Valter Mazzetti, secretary general of the Fsp police union, soldiers can provide immediate reinforcements but are not a long-term solution to staff shortages within the police department. Managing demonstrations requires specialized training, which is beyond the capabilities of military personnel. The deployment of troops has also raised questions about their preparedness for public-order operations. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto pointed out that soldiers lack key tools, such as pepper spray and tasers, which are essential for dealing with violent protests. They can only use plastic restraint ties in limited areas around train stations. Last week's violence and looting involved a significant number of young people, with approximately 2,000 individuals participating over two days. Of those arrested, 34 were minors, highlighting concerns about the involvement of very young protesters in the disturbances. Milan's welfare councilor Lamberto Bertolé believes that further investigation is needed to understand the backgrounds and motivations of these young people. He suggested that social and economic inequalities may be contributing factors, with many feeling excluded and lacking a sense of belonging or prospects for their future. Security measures were tightened in Rome as authorities prepared to deal with planned demonstrations, including one by right-wing students. Luxury shopping streets were locked down and controls around popular landmarks like the Circus Maximus and Piazza del Popolo were stepped up. An anti-war march is scheduled to take place at Rome's central Piazza della Repubblica in the early afternoon, raising concerns about potential infiltration by violent groups. Organizers have sought to distance themselves from any unrest, urging participants to keep their faces uncovered and hands visible. Demonstrations are also planned in at least seven other cities besides Rome and Milan. The newly formed "October 17 Movement is behind these protests, working alongside student federations, grassroots trade unions, and anti-war coalitions. Protests have been ongoing for over a week in Albania's capital, with protesters clashing with police in the city center. High school and university students are demanding lower tuition fees, greater state investment in education, and an end to corruption within the education system. Thousands of retirees and others took to the streets in Madrid on Saturday, voicing their discontent over proposed changes to public pensions. The protesters marched peacefully through a central avenue, waving colorful flags and banners that read protect pensions" and "decent pensions for today and the future." Their demands were clear: they wanted the government to safeguard their retirement benefits. The protests coincided with the lead-up to next month's snap election in Spain, which has seen the Socialist Party criticizing the opposition Popular Party over its suggestions of privatizing public pensions. This move has been met with fierce resistance from those who rely on these benefits for their livelihood. The issue is particularly contentious given the current economic climate. Spain has witnessed a surge in protests this fall, primarily driven by concerns over housing affordability. As rental and home costs continue to rise beyond what many Spaniards can afford, a severe shortage of affordable housing has become a pressing concern. This scarcity has been exacerbated by population growth fueled by tourism, immigration, and the proliferation of short-term rentals. The movement is centered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, where a tent camp protest has remained for almost a month. Inspired by the Spaniards' determination, protesters in Lisbon are set to march across the city on Saturday, demanding affordable housing solutions that cater to their needs. The government's recent measures have been met with criticism from protesters, who argue that they disproportionately favor landlords over tenants. The rent cap increase and eviction facilitation are seen as measures that will leave vulnerable individuals at a greater risk of being priced out of their homes. Protesters claim that these policies fail to address the root causes of the housing crisis, instead placing an unfair burden on those struggling to make ends meet. The demonstrations planned for Saturday in Lisbon aim to draw attention to this issue and push for more inclusive solutions. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/hundreds-soldiers-milan-protests-planned-europe-137534380) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/soldiers-deployed-to-milan-as-italy-prepares-for-fresh-protests-this/