by InTrieste
In a decisive move following a series of protests by activists targeting iconic Italian cultural sites to highlight the climate crisis, the Italian parliament has given the green light to stringent new penalties for those who damage or deface monuments and heritage locations. The right-wing government is taking a firm stance against what it calls “eco-vandals.”
Proposed last April by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, the ‘Beni Culturali’ bill has now been definitively approved by the lower house, having already received the nod from the senate. According to the new law, individuals caught damaging or defacing works of art or cultural heritage could face fines ranging from €20,000 to €60,000.
The final vote in the lower house saw 138 members in favor, 92 against, and 10 abstentions, solidifying the government’s commitment to curbing acts of vandalism against cultural landmarks.
The legislative action comes on the heels of controversial protests by climate activists affiliated with the Ultima Generazione group, who targeted iconic Italian landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome and the Uffizi in Florence.
Expressing gratitude on the Italian culture ministry website, Minister Sangiuliano hailed the passage of the “eco-vandal bill” as a significant moment for Italian culture. “Today is a beautiful day for Italian culture and, in particular, for the artistic and architectural heritage of the nation,” Sangiuliano remarked. “From now on, anyone who causes damage to the cultural and heritage landscape will be forced to pay the cost of the expenses for the complete restoration of the works out of their own pocket.”
