In a post on X, she listed some of the main elements of the package, including “more protection for the police” and faster procedures for evicting tenants who do not pay rent, as well as the introduction of a new crime which foresees two to seven years in prison for illegal occupants.

She said the bill also features a “crackdown on scams committed against the elderly and the most vulnerable people, with an increase in the prison sentence from two to six years for the crime of aggravated fraud”.

The PM said the bill includes specific measures to combat pickpockets and punish people who use minors in begging, particularly in metro and train stations.

There is the introduction of a new crime to punish those who participate in and-or organise prison riots, she said.

Meloni added that the package also features a clampdown on protestors who halt traffic on roads, something groups highlighting the need to combat the climate crisis have started doing frequently.

Before Thursday’s cabinet meeting Meloni said the measures contained in the bill aim to “overcome an anachronistic structure and recognise the need to adjust the armed forces’ workforce in line with the increased commitments in the national and international arena”.

The bill “will make it possible to enhance the professionalism required to meet new challenges, also to protect new domains, and to recruit specialised and highly specialised permanent service professionals,” added Meloni.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the bill on defence, security and public rescue “significantly improves the quality of work of those who are engaged in protecting the security of citizens on a daily basis”.

“The government has prepared an important package of regulations and concrete measures that are all oriented towards and aimed at enhancing the role of those working in the security, defence and public rescue sectors,” said Piantedosi.

Meloni on Thursday told unions representing the police and people in the armed services that the 1.5 billion euros the government has set aside for the renewal of the collective contract of the defence and security sector in the 2024 budget bill will ensure a pay rise of 5.8 per cent, the sources said.

ANSA