Government introduces new crime for protesters with 12-year sentences
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The government has enacted a new security decree, introducing a novel crime aimed at organized violence during demonstrations and imposing stricter measures on minors involved in unrest. Penalties for the new offense could reach up to 12 years in prison. This development follows recent widespread looting and protests in cities like Milan.
However, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and his office have expressed reservations, particularly objecting to granting additional powers to the military and the creation of new criminal offenses concerning minors. This indicates a potential friction within the state's response to the ongoing public discontent.
In other significant domestic news, new simulations suggest a further delay in pension age beyond 2027, coupled with lighter payouts for future retirees. Meanwhile, truck drivers continue their highway blockades in protest of high fuel prices, despite the government's offer of one billion euros to address their concerns. Severe weather has also impacted several regions, with one soldier dying in Jesolo after a tree fell on his car.