High penalties for illegal raves: Italy’s politicians argue about techno parties

Heavy penalties for illegal raves
Italy’s politicians argue about techno parties

As one of the first official acts, the right-wing government in Italy takes on illegal rave parties. Celebrating now face drastic penalties. The opposition sees this as an attempt to restrict general freedom of assembly and protests.

In the dispute over a law against illegal rave parties, Italy’s opposition has demanded an about-face from the new right-wing government. “The law is so bad that you can’t even improve it: it has to be withdrawn,” demanded the leader of the Social Democrats, Enrico Letta, in the newspaper “Corriere della Sera”. Not only techno raves could be affected by the plans, but also schools, universities and environmental protests.

The new government of the ultra-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni brought the controversial law into parliament on Monday. Anyone who organizes such festivals and occupies buildings or land without permission can go to prison for up to six years instead of the previous two. Organizing gatherings of more than 50 people that pose a threat to public order, physical integrity or health is subject to fines of between 1,000 and 10,000 euros. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio assured that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly are not endangered.

Techno raves with thousands of partygoers always make headlines in Italy. Over the weekend, more than 3,500 people celebrated for days in an empty factory building in Modena, northern Italy. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi ordered several hundred police officers there, who ended the rave peacefully. He accused the organizers of risking a “bloodbath”.

Meloni welcomed the effort. “I’m very happy with the clear signal that was given here,” she said. According to media reports, however, there are already considerations within the right-wing coalition to change the law.

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