Meloni's Crackdown on Protests Sparks Fears of Growing Repression in Italy

[Social Media]

 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been working to present a moderate image to the European political establishment, but her government’s recent crackdown on protests has raised alarms about the country’s shift towards more authoritarian governance. A new "security bill," passed by the lower house of the Italian parliament in mid-September, targets climate activists and criminalizes the obstruction of roads and railways, with penalties of up to two years in prison. Critics argue that, if the Senate approves the bill, it could effectively ban peaceful street protests in Italy.

 

 

This legislative move follows a series of actions by Meloni’s government to deter protest activities, particularly in response to climate demonstrations that have drawn international attention. The government had already imposed harsh penalties for damaging artworks, raising fines to €60,000 after activists targeted Rome's Trevi Fountain and Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.” These tougher measures aim to prevent disruptions like those seen during the G7 demonstrations in Turin earlier this year, where protesters blocked highways and burned photos of world leaders. The bill also extends prison sentences for those resisting the police and increases the punishment for inmates participating in hunger strikes, leading some to call it the "anti-Gandhi" law.

 

Despite these criticisms, Nicola Molteni, Undersecretary for the Interior Ministry, defended the government’s approach. In a statement to POLITICO, he argued that the current administration has done more to protect the right to protest than previous ones, stating, “This government has never denied permission for or banned any protest unless it risked putting in danger the public order of our country.” He emphasized that the right to protest must not interfere with the rights of others, including the ability to work, access transportation, or receive emergency services. “This enters in a perimeter of illegality that cannot be tolerated,” Molteni said.

 

However, as Meloni faces mounting political challenges—such as budget negotiations, coalition disagreements, and looming regional elections—her critics accuse her of using the protest crackdown as a diversionary tactic. Laura Boldrini, a former speaker and current MP for the center-left Democratic Party, expressed concern about the government's trajectory, stating, “This government is drifting in a repressive direction, limiting peaceful protest and dissent and pushing Italy in a direction outside the perimeter of a liberal democracy, toward a democraship in the style of Orbán.”

 

 

The focus on security has been a key element of Meloni's tenure since she took office in 2022. One of her government’s first legislative moves was to crack down on illegal raves, with organizers facing up to six years in prison. Since then, Meloni’s administration has introduced measures that make it easier to imprison teenagers, pregnant women, and mothers with newborns, while also instituting automatic detention for migrants. Additionally, the government has rolled back reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights by allowing pro-life organizations into abortion clinics, banning surrogacy, and refusing to issue birth certificates for the children of same-sex couples.

 

 

Human rights organizations have expressed concern about these developments. Antigone, an association that advocates for the rights of incarcerated individuals, criticized the government’s reliance on the penal system to address social issues. “The government has decided to manage social issues in the most illiberal possible way, using the penal system, rather than [using] dialogue, and resources, that you would expect in a democracy with the rule of law,” the group said.

 

Meloni has been unapologetic about her focus on security, declaring it her top priority ahead of the security bill’s introduction. Molteni explained that security is essential for fostering economic growth and investment and for protecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly. However, environmental activists feel particularly targeted by the government’s crackdown.

 

Climate campaigners have been labeled “eco vandals,” and Italy's powerful anti-mafia investigative units have been used to monitor their activities. Giacomo Baggio, a member of the Last Generation climate protest group, is currently facing a curfew and a ban on leaving his city pending a hearing, after he filed a complaint against the police for assault during a protest.

 

Based on a report from: Politico 2024-10-02

 

 

 

[blazes]

I am sure that citizens of many countries, reading this, can only lament that they do not have a leader of the same intellect, determination and sheer common sense as Giorgia.

[JonnyF]

What a woman. Awesome. 

 

If only the UK had such a strong leader, unlike the simp currently ruining the country.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, JonnyF said:

What a woman. Awesome. 

 

If only the UK had such a strong leader, unlike the simp currently ruining the country.

 

 

Oh so you’ve flipped in the right to protest thing.

[JonnyF]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Oh so you’ve flipped in the right to protest thing.

 

I support the right to protest. As well as the freedom of speech (I know you're not a fan of that so much). 

 

But not when the protest causes the public massive inconvenience, stops people getting emergency medical treatment, attending funerals of loved ones etc.

 

Given that you're such a fan of strong minded women, I'm surprised you're not supporting Meloni. A hint of misogyny perhaps?

 

I think she's fantastic. You go girl!

 

[Chomper Higgot]

9 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I support the right to protest. As well as the freedom of speech (I know you're not a fan of that so much). 

 

But not when the protest causes the public massive inconvenience, stops people getting emergency medical treatment, attending funerals of loved ones etc.

 

Given that you're such a fan of strong minded women, I'm surprised you're not supporting Meloni. A hint of misogyny perhaps?

 

I think she's fantastic. You go girl!

 

 

 

Let’s see you produce any post from me in which I express even slightly misogynistic views towards Meloni?

 

Or we can mark it up as another of your slurs.

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

 

Let’s see you produce any post from me in which I express even slightly misogynistic views towards Meloni?

 

Or we can mark it up as another of your slurs.

 

You mean to say one can criticize a woman without being a misogynist? 

 

Surely not. 😄

 

You'll be saying one can criticize a person of colour without being a racist next. Actually, that might be a step too far for you... 

[retarius]

Moroni, the smallest person in politics. But she is hot, hot, hot....seducing both Rishi and Kier in minutes. She made them feel special while Uk women sneer at them. She's probably a witch and casts spells on people and she would probably be burnt at the stake in medieval times, now we make her Prime Minister of a (formerly) fascist country. What is it about all these women in the EU from Ursula on down....all fascists.....the Baltic states, ugh?

 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

You mean to say one can criticize a woman without being a misogynist? 

 

Surely not. 😄

 

You'll be saying one can criticize a person of colour without being a racist next. Actually, that might be a step too far for you... 

That’s a no then Jonny.

 

You can’t produce any posts from me which I express even slightly misogynistic views towards Meloni.

 

Which exposes your slur for what it is.

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

That’s a no then Jonny.

 

You can’t produce any posts from me which I express even slightly misogynistic views towards Meloni.

 

Which exposes your slur for what it is.

 

Maybe you could explain...

 

What is it about a strong, intelligent, beautiful, articulate woman that triggers you so much?

[James105]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

A new "security bill," passed by the lower house of the Italian parliament in mid-September, targets climate activists and criminalizes the obstruction of roads and railways, with penalties of up to two years in prison

 

The only reason it targets climate protests is that they are the ones committing crimes instead of just peacefully protesting about their nonsense.   If they could just hold up their "end of the world is nigh" signs peacefully without obstructing other people as they go about their business they will be just fine.   

[Purdey]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

Climate campaigners have been labeled “eco vandals"

The people polluting the earth, water and sky are the real eco vandals.