Chaos has arrived at the famous square: violent riots shake Italy - Giorgia Meloni under pressure

A wave of violent riots in Milan: shops looted, trash cans set on fire, and hundreds of youths clashed with police. Over 200 people were detained, about 80% of them minors. Meloni convened an emergency meeting; the opposition warns against suppressing social protest.

A wave of violent riots has hit northern Italian cities, especially Milan, where shops were looted, trash cans set on fire, and hundreds of youths clashed with police. According to the Italian news agency ANSA, over 200 people were detained in Sunday's events, about 80% of them minors. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened an emergency meeting to consider tightening enforcement measures, and wrote on social media that protecting citizens takes precedence over any leniency toward the violent. Meanwhile, opposition leader of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, condemned the violence but warned against using the rioters to silence social protest over the cost of living. The riots in Italy occur alongside a wave of violent protests in France. In Italy, the major trade union confederation CGIL has declared a general strike planned for November 20.