On Wednesday, the Senate in Rome passed a legislative decree with a vote of 109 in favor, 69 against, and one abstention, aimed at modifying public security measures.
This new legislation introduces 14 additional offenses and imposes harsher penalties for squatting, obstructing vehicles during protests, and using certain soft drugs.
Going forward, in cases of property occupation, authorities can order immediate eviction, irrespective of the occupants’ economic and social situations.
Inmates who resist orders from the penal system staff will face penalties, with non-compliance punishable by up to six years in prison.
Additionally, individuals who block roads or lie on train tracks as a protest can now face imprisonment ranging from six months to two years.
Opposition senators voiced their concerns prior to the vote, asserting that these measures disproportionately impact vulnerable citizens and constrain their ability to protest and express dissent.
In response, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni stated in an online post, “The government has taken a decisive step to protect citizens, the most vulnerable social groups, and the men and women serving in our police forces.”
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