Domestic Policy
Security: In Rovigo, a pensioner shot and injured one of the burglars who had broken into his home. The man is not under investigation, as the case falls within the scope of the revised Article 52 of the Penal Code concerning self-defence. The government expressed satisfaction with the prosecutors’ decision: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that “defence is always legitimate,” while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini claimed credit for the regulations introduced by the League to protect citizens reacting to aggression.
Ranucci Case: New political tensions have emerged over the alleged surveillance of journalist Sigfrido Ranucci by intelligence services, reportedly ordered by Undersecretary Giovanbattista Fazzolari. During his appearance before the Rai Oversight Committee, the host of Report requested partial confidentiality for his testimony, claiming the surveillance followed an investigation into the father of Prime Minister Meloni. “I hope the Rome Prosecutor’s Office is doing everything possible to identify, in the shortest possible time, those responsible for such a serious act. It is evident that someone is trying to instrumentalise this ignoble episode to attack the government, turning it at all costs into a political issue,” Fazzolari said in Corriere della Sera.
Foreign Policy
USA: A democratic wave swept across the United States, with significant victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and especially New York, where Zohran Mamdani, 34, a socialist of Indian origin and Muslim, was elected mayor. His victory, with over 50% of the vote, marks a symbolic triumph for the American left and opens a new political front against Donald Trump, who attributes the Republican defeat to the federal shutdown. Analysts and commentators see this vote as a sign of change, but remain divided on the national impact of the New York result. Republicans are now seeking strategies to regain support ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Libya: Libyan authorities have imprisoned Osama Njeem Almasri, former head of the Rada militia and wanted by the International Criminal Court for torture and violence at Mitiga prison. The man was arrested in Italy in January and later repatriated to Libya for procedural reasons—a decision now heavily criticised by Amnesty International and opposition groups. The Italian government rejects the accusations, asserting it acted based on an arrest warrant issued by Tripoli and arranged for immediate expulsion.
Economy and Finance
Public Employment: The school sector’s collective agreement for the 2022–2024 triennium has been renewed, with average monthly increases of €150, peaks up to €185, and back pay of approximately €2,000. The agreement covers 1.6 million workers and entails a total commitment of €4.1 billion. Public Administration Minister Paolo Zangrillo called it a “historic achievement” and announced the start of negotiations for the 2025–2027 renewal. “Commitments fulfilled,” commented Meloni. The CGIL union did not sign, contesting wage increases below inflation and demanding additional resources in the next budget.
Green Deal: The European Union has reached an agreement to cut emissions by 90% by 2040, introducing a five-year review cycle for targets, greater flexibility on carbon credits, and the inclusion of biofuels. The deal, approved by majority vote—with Italy and France among the supporters—also postpones the ETS2 system by one year and introduces an “emergency brake” to adjust targets if necessary. EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra described the agreement as “a crucial step for climate and competitiveness,” while Italian Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin expressed satisfaction at the recognition of Italy’s requests.