Italy’s Senate has approved a contentious security decree that targets public protests, squatters, and legal cannabis, in a move spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition. The decree garnered a 109-69 vote in favor, with one senator abstaining, despite vocal opposition from lawmakers who protested the decision on the Senate floor, chanting ‘shame, shame.’
Key provisions of the decree criminalize road blockages and defacement of public property, actions often associated with anti-climate change protests that have disrupted traffic and targeted monuments in Italy. Additionally, the legislation introduces severe penalties for disturbances in prisons and migrant detention centers, punishing even passive resistance.
A particularly controversial aspect of the law is the ban on the trade of ‘cannabis light,’ a hemp product that lacks psychoactive properties. Local entrepreneurs have expressed outrage over this ban, claiming it will result in significant job losses and jeopardize investments worth millions of euros.
The legislation also removes the exemption from prison sentences for pregnant women and those with young children, a provision supporters argue was manipulated by some female members of the Roma minority to evade punishment for repeated theft. Senator Gianni Berrino of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party stated, ‘It’s useless to say that this decree is inhumane, because women who have children in order to steal are not worthy of having them.’
Furthermore, the decree enforces stricter penalties for protesters who engage in violent clashes with police, including those resulting in injuries. It also provides legal protection of up to €10,000 (approximately $11,385) for military or police officers facing legal proceedings.
Meloni’s coalition, which secured a decisive election victory in September 2022, continues to maintain strong public support by emphasizing a tough stance on law and order. Critics argue that the introduction of numerous new crimes in response to public outrage does not effectively address underlying issues and may worsen the existing problem of prison overcrowding.
Senator Berrino articulated the coalition’s intent, saying, ‘We want a state where citizens live peacefully, and whoever breaks (things) pays; whoever makes a mistake pays, and it is right that they pay with prison.’
The implications of these laws extend beyond public safety to impact local economies, particularly those involved in the hemp and cannabis sectors, as Italy grapples with balancing security measures and civil liberties.
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