Domestic Policy
Electoral Law: The government is working on reforming the electoral law and promises to involve the opposition before defining a draft text in Parliament. The centre-left is calling for shared decision-making and respect for the indications from the Quirinal Palace. The model under consideration would be a proportional system with a majority bonus, cautiously received by the opposition, which contests excessive bonuses and closed lists. Constitutional doubts are also emerging. Tensions remain within the centre-right, particularly between Brothers of Italy and the League regarding the reintroduction of preferential voting.
Ranucci Case: The mystery surrounding files stolen from Gian Gaetano Bellavia, consultant for Sigfrido Ranucci’s TV programme Report, deepens: Bellavia claims he suffered the theft of one million files, including sensitive material concerning politicians, entrepreneurs, and public figures, contained in a 35-page document. His former collaborator, Valentina Varisco, accused of unauthorised access to data, claims she merely attempted to copy her own work. Sigfrido Ranucci defended himself, stating that “there is nothing confidential from Report that was stolen or removed from Bellavia’s studio.”
Foreign Policy
Venezuela: The US military operation in Venezuela, ordered by Donald Trump, resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are to be tried in the United States for drug trafficking. Trump described the intervention as unprecedented, asserting its legitimacy and announcing indefinite American administration of Venezuela. However, significant political and legal uncertainties remain, including accusations of violating international law, internal criticism in the United States, and divisions across Latin America. The action has been framed as a revival of the Monroe Doctrine and as a national security and economic operation.
Crans-Montana: A criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm, and involuntary arson has been opened against Jacques and Jessica Moretti, owners of the La Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where the deadly New Year’s Eve fire occurred. Swiss police clarified that no preventive detention measures are in place and that the presumption of innocence applies. Investigations aim to clarify the causes and responsibilities for the fire, with particular attention to safety regulations. The tragedy has claimed dozens of lives, and ongoing procedures to identify the bodies have led to the identification of the first three deceased Italians.
Economy and Finance
Ferrari: Exor and Piero Ferrari, together with the Piero Ferrari Trust, have renewed the shareholders’ agreement governing relations among the main shareholders of the Maranello-based company, reaffirming strategic alignment and commitment to the company. The new agreement will last three years, until 4 January 2029, with automatic renewal. It provides for consultations on shareholder meeting decisions and pre-emption rights in case of share sales, safeguarding shareholder stability. Exor holds 21.20% of the capital, while Piero Ferrari holds 10.61% and serves as vice-chairman of the group.
Olive Oil: Tunisia may reach 500,000 tonnes of olive oil annually, overtaking Italy as the world’s second-largest producer. This growth, combined with negotiations with the EU for zero-tariff exports, is saturating foreign markets and lowering Italian olive oil prices, which fell by over 20% in 2025. Italian agricultural organisations warn that increased imports of Tunisian olive oil could threaten the survival of many Italian olive growers and the quality of the product, a cultural and environmental heritage of the country. An urgent national olive oil plan is needed to protect quality, biodiversity, and domestic production.