Domestic Policy
Atreju: Atreju 2025 began yesterday, 6 December, in the gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo, transformed for nine days into an arena of political debates, cultural events, and family activities. The event welcomed government officials, opposition figures, international personalities, and celebrities from the entertainment world. The programme includes book presentations, panels on current affairs, reforms, foreign policy, justice, welfare, energy, and culture. The event will conclude on 14 December with a speech by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Education: In an interview with Il Giornale, Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara focused on the need to strengthen European and Western values. Valditara highlighted that the White House document stating that “Europe could disappear within the next twenty years” unless it reclaims its values targets “not Europe as such, but a woke Europe that has lost its historical and cultural references.” He announced that “next week I will sign the new curricula for kindergartens, primary and lower secondary schools,” placing “European history and Western values” at the core. The minister also stressed that “educating in respect and proper relationships” is a fundamental cultural act to counter the erosion of values.
Foreign Policy
USA: Elon Musk has criticised the European Union following a proposed €120 million fine by the Commission for violations of the Digital Services Act by X. Musk argues that sovereignty should return to individual states and accuses Brussels of excessive bureaucracy, even comparing EU commissioners to those of the Stasi. He calls the penalty “crazy,” as it affects both the platform and himself personally, claiming that EU bureaucracy is driving Europe “to death.” The EU acknowledges some of the criticisms but reaffirms the importance of transatlantic cooperation. The Commission also asserts its decision-making autonomy, reiterating that choices on regulations, freedom of expression, and international order belong to the Union itself.
Ukraine: Russia continues its massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, targeting strategic infrastructure and causing alarms even in Poland. The attacks persist as negotiations take place in Miami between Ukrainian and US envoys. Zelensky will meet European leaders in London tomorrow, increasingly sidelined in the negotiations, to prevent Ukraine from being abandoned. Meanwhile, the IAEA has confirmed that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was damaged in a Russian attack in February, posing serious risks of radioactive leaks.
Economy and Finance
Taxation: The tax authority aims to recover €41.5 billion over the next three years through tax collection notices and assessment notices assigned to recovery agencies, with targets of €14.8 billion in 2026, €14.4 billion in 2027, and €12.3 billion in 2028. The strategy focuses on effective recovery operations, directing resources toward debts with higher collection potential and safeguarding assigned credits. Measures are expected to ensure compliance with legal deadlines, avoid expiration of claims, and encourage regularisation through instalment plans, within a broader framework of reform and reorganisation of tax recovery.
MPS: The takeover of Monte dei Paschi by Mediobanca remains under scrutiny: a Consob document dated 15 September 2025 states that “there is no hidden agreement” between Delfin, Caltagirone, and the Sienese bank, nor any concerted action, while keeping the investigation open. Consob and the Milan Prosecutor’s Office are collaborating as the investigation into alleged “undeclared agreements” continues, leading to searches against Caltagirone, Milleri, and Lovaglio. Supporting Consob’s assessment, it emerges that the plan for the operation dates back to 2022, prior to the entry of private shareholders into Monte dei Paschi’s capital.