Second day of cost-of-living street clashes in Milan leads to more than 200 arrests

Summary

Street clashes over the cost of living broke out in Milan for a second consecutive day on Sunday, October 18, and at least 200 people were arrested or detained, according to Euronews and Italian media cited by the BBC. Youths and police clashed in the city, and most of those arrested were reported to be minors. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a security meeting for Monday to address the violence, which reporting said recalled scenes of chaos and looting in Paris. The BBC reports that the government is planning tougher security measures after the protests over rising costs turned violent.

Timeline

1. Le Monde

   18 Oct 2026, 17:25 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that Milan experienced a second day of street clashes and that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a security meeting for Monday to address the violence.

2. Euronews

   19 Oct 2026, 05:17 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that more than 200 people were arrested during a second day of street clashes against the cost of living in Milan, and that the violence resembled scenes of chaos and looting in Paris.

3. BBC

   19 Oct 2026, 11:23 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Meloni is holding an emergency meeting after a weekend of violent clashes, and that more than 200 people were detained over two days of rioting in the city, according to Italian media.

4. France 24

   19 Oct 2026, 12:30 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that youths and police clashed for a second consecutive day in Milan, where at least 200 people were arrested over cost-of-living protests, mostly minors.