Italy Braces for High-Risk Strikes as Salvini Revives Protest Bail Proposal

After violent clashes at anti-inflation protests, the general strikes on October 30 and November 20 are now considered high-risk events, prompting fears of further urban guerrilla warfare. Milan's mayor has issued a warning that authorities must be more prepared for similar situations. The violence occurred on Saturday, October 17, when fringe groups infiltrated demonstrations in Milan, Turin, and Bologna, causing vandalism and injuries. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has revived a League party proposal to require a financial guarantee from organizers of at-risk demonstrations, arguing that "whoever breaks things pays." The proposed bail requirement faces significant constitutional hurdles, as the right to assembly is protected by Article 17 of the Italian Constitution. Legal experts question its feasibility, noting that current laws hold individual perpetrators responsible for damages, not organizers, and the proposal raises unresolved questions about calculation, enforcement, and potential exemptions.