Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is heading to Naples for his first cabinet meeting in the southern city mired in a rubbish crisis.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is holding his first cabinet meeting in the southern city of Naples, mired in a rubbish crisis.
Angry residents have taken to burning the piles of rotting waste, which have littered the streets for months.
Angry residents have taken to burning the piles of rotting waste, which have littered the streets for months.
Mr Berlusconi, 71, is expected to unveil a series of measures, including controversial new rubbish dump sites.
Mr Berlusconi, 71, is expected to unveil a series of measures, including controversial new rubbish dump sites.
But, despite high security in the city, he and his colleagues are likely to be confronted by protesters.
But, despite high security in the city, he and his colleagues are likely to be confronted by protesters.
No fewer than seven separate marches are due to converge in the city's main square, near where the cabinet will be meeting at the main police headquarters, according to Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.
No fewer than seven separate marches are due to converge in the city's main square, near where the cabinet will be meeting at the main police headquarters, according to Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.
Mafia link
Mafia link
Locals blame chronic mismanagement by the city authorities and the involvement of the Naples mafia, the Camorra, for the rubbish crisis.
Locals blame chronic mismanagement by the city authorities and the involvement of the Naples mafia, the Camorra, for the rubbish crisis.
A Roma camp on the city outskirts was set alight last week
A Roma camp on the city outskirts was set alight last week
"We didn't need a cabinet meeting to underline the fact that [the rubbish issue] is an absolute priority for us," said Minister for Implementation Gianfranco Rotondi, according to La Repubblica.
"We are here to say that the Berlusconi government is beginning from the South of the country and aims to get Italy moving again, starting right here in Naples," he added.
Municipal rubbish collections were stopped in Naples in December and the city's landfill sites are overflowing.
Municipal rubbish collections were stopped in Naples in December and the city's landfill sites are overflowing.
There are an estimated 45,000 tonnes of rubbish in the wider Campania region, and 3,500 tonnes in Naples alone.
There are an estimated 45,000 tonnes of rubbish in the wider Campania region, and 3,500 tonnes in Naples alone.
In early May, the European Union announced it was taking the Italian government to court over its mishandling of the region's waste management.
In early May, the European Union announced it was taking the Italian government to court over its mishandling of the region's waste management.
Mr Berlusconi is also expected to announce tough new measures to deal with crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Mr Berlusconi is also expected to announce tough new measures to deal with crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
He will announce a new draft law which makes it a crime punishable by up to four years' imprisonment to enter the country illegally.
He will announce a new draft law which makes it a crime punishable by up to four years' imprisonment to enter the country illegally.
He will also announce measures to deal with an influx of Roma, or Gypsy, people.
He will also announce measures to deal with an influx of Roma, or Gypsy, people.
The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says they are often perceived - rightly or wrongly - by the Italian public as responsible for an increase in violent crime.
The BBC's David Willey, in Rome, says they are often perceived - rightly or wrongly - by the Italian public as responsible for an increase in violent crime.
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