Italy deploys elite troops and drones as cost-of-living protests loom

Rome to lock down with 1,500 officers, Milan with 1,800 police and soldiers, as authorities brace for a repeat of recent violence on 24 October

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Italy is preparing a major security operation for Saturday 24 October, deploying elite troops, drones and thousands of officers in response to expected nationwide protests against the rising cost of living, after violent unrest earlier this month targeted shops and law enforcement. Similar demonstrations are also planned in France.

Authorities in Italy are bracing for a wave of protests on Saturday 24 October, with security plans drawn up for multiple cities including Rome, Milan, Bologna, Genoa, Turin and Florence. The preparations follow violent incidents on 17 and 18 October that saw hundreds of people involved in clashes with police and attacks on shops.

In Rome, roughly 1,500 officers will be deployed under a plan that covers both notified demonstrations and spontaneous rallies announced online. Drones from the State Police's 1st Flight Department and aircraft from the Carabinieri will provide aerial surveillance, while the city's Cybersecurity Centre monitors social media in coordination with the Digos division. Checks will stretch from city squares to railway stations.

Milan will see around 1,000 police and Carabinieri officers, 300 municipal officers and 500 soldiers stationed across the city, following a government security decree. Drones will again be used to monitor marches. Authorised demonstrations will be kept away from the Duomo, while protests are banned in the Garibaldi and Porta Venezia districts.

The digital dimension is complicating security efforts. On platforms such as Telegram, TikTok and Instagram, guides on how to prepare for clashes are circulating. The advice ranges from bringing water, painkillers and vinegar to reduce the effects of tear gas, to guidance on clothing and behaviour if disorder breaks out.

In Turin, a march is expected from the antagonista scene linked to the former Askatasuna social centre, alongside members of the 17 October Movement and students. Marches are due to start at 2 p.m. in Piazza Arbarello.

Following the unrest on 17 October, Digos conducted searches targeting around 100 people on Friday, 51 of whom were minors. The operations took place in several cities, including Bari, Bergamo, Florence, Genoa and Verona.

The protests are part of broader discontent over the cost of living, with similar demonstrations expected in France on the same day. Business owners and authorities remain on high alert after the previous weekend's violence.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The protests reflect growing public anger over the cost of living, a challenge affecting households across Europe. The scale of security mobilisation indicates authorities expect serious disruption.
The use of drones and social media monitoring marks an escalation in surveillance tactics for managing protests. This raises questions about public order versus civil liberties.
Given France also expects protests, coordinated unrest across two major EU economies could pressure governments to respond with further measures.

Background

Italy and France have seen periodic protests over the cost of living in recent years, with frustrations driven by inflation and stagnant wages. The previous weekend, 17-18 October, saw violence in several Italian cities, with shops damaged and clashes with police. Authorities have since moved to tighten security, including a government decree enabling military deployment. A website, "Mappa della rivolta", has been collating protest initiatives, listing more than 30 mobilisations for 24 October.

Key Perspectives

Authorities: They are taking a robust stance, deploying large numbers of officers and troops, using drones and monitoring social media to prevent a repeat of the violence. Searches and security plans aim to deter disorder. Protest organisers: The protests are framed as a response to the rising cost of living, with marchers planning to assemble in multiple cities. The circulation of advice on handling tear gas suggests some participants anticipate confrontation. Business owners and local residents: They fear further damage and disruption after the previous weekend's violence. The heavy security presence may provide reassurance but also disrupts daily life in city centres.

What to Watch

Whether the security operations succeed in preventing a repeat of the 17-18 October violence, or whether protests turn confrontational.
The extent of participation across the 30-plus protest sites listed; low turnout could indicate the security measures deter people, while high turnout may stretch resources.
Any government statements or policy responses announced after Saturday's events.

Sources

Italy preparing with elite troops and drone surveillance for 24 October protests · Euronews

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

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SupportedItaly is deploying elite troops and drones ahead of cost-of-living protests on 24 October.Euronews: “Italy preparing with elite troops and drone surveillance for 24 October protests”
SupportedRome will have 1,500 officers and Milan 1,800 police and soldiers.Euronews: “On 24 October Rome will be locked down with 1,500 officers, Milan with 1,800 police and soldiers.”
SupportedAuthorities expect nationwide protests against the rising cost of living in Italy and France on Saturday 24 October.Euronews: “Nationwide protests against the rising cost of living are expected in Italy and France on Saturday 24 October.”
Partly supportedHundreds of people were involved in clashes with police and attacks on shops on 17 and 18 October.Euronews: “when hundreds of people were involved in violent incidents targeting shops and law enforcement.”
Partly supportedDrones and Carabinieri aircraft will provide aerial surveillance in Rome, while the Cybersecurity Centre monitors social media with Digos.Euronews: “drones from the State Police's 1st Flight Department and aircraft from the Carabinieri will also be used. In all, around 1,500 officers will be deployed”
SupportedMilan will deploy around 1,000 police and Carabinieri, 300 municipal officers and 500 soldiers.Euronews: “In Milan, there will be around one thousand police officers and Carabinieri, 300 municipal officers and 500 soldiers deployed following the latest government security decree .”
SupportedSocial-media guides advise people preparing for clashes to bring water, painkillers and vinegar, and offer clothing and behaviour guidance.Euronews: “Advice ranges from bringing water, painkillers and vinegar to lessen the effects of tear gas, to guidance on what to wear and how to behave if disorder breaks out.”
SupportedIn Turin, a march involving the antagonista scene linked to the former Askatasuna social centre, the 17 October Movement and students is due to start at 2 p.m. in Piazza Arbarello.Euronews: “Marches are due to start at 2 p.m. in Piazza Arbarello.”
SupportedDigos searched around 100 people on Friday after the 17 October unrest, including 51 minors, in several cities.Euronews: “Following the unrest on 17 October, on Friday Digos carried out searches targeting around 100 people, 51 of whom were minors. Operations took place in several cities”
Partly supportedBusiness owners and authorities remain on high alert after the previous weekend’s violence.Euronews: “Authorities and business owners fear a repeat of what happened on 17 and 18 October”