Domestic Policy
Justice: The debate over the justice referendum scheduled for 22–23 March has intensified following harsh remarks by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, who described the current system of the Superior Council of the Judiciary as “para-mafioso.” The National Association of Judges has denounced this as a subversive attack and defended the judicial order. Opposition figures, from Elly Schlein to Giuseppe Conte, accuse the government of undermining institutions for electoral purposes. Nordio stands firm in his position, promising to publish a dossier.
Interview with Matteo Piantedosi: In an interview published in Il Giornale, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addresses the most pressing security issues, ranging from anarchist emergencies to immigration. Regarding railway sabotage, the minister assures that “preventive and territorial surveillance activities proceed hand in hand with investigative efforts,” expressing confidence in imminent results and rejecting accusations of downplaying the phenomenon. On the issue of deportations, he denounces the existence of an “immigrationist ideology” obstructing expulsions and warns: “Those who facilitated the release of an irregular migrant deemed dangerous bear ethical co-responsibility for any subsequent crimes committed.” According to the minister, antagonistic violence has now merged with extremist Islamism following the incidents in Turin.
Foreign Policy
Board of Peace: Italy’s foreign policy confronts the issue of the Gaza “Board of Peace,” promoted by Donald Trump and scheduled for Thursday, 19 February in Washington. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will report to the Chamber of Deputies on Italy’s decision to participate as an observer state—a solution agreed upon with Giorgia Meloni to avoid conflicts with Article 11 of the Constitution and with the EU. Opposition figures, from Elly Schlein to Carlo Calenda, accuse the government of circumventing the Constitution and of subservience to the United States. Tomorrow, the Chamber will vote on resolutions, testing the cohesion of the governing majority. Meanwhile, Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Merz are seeking to adopt a common strategy regarding Trump’s initiative.
Munich: At the Munich Security Conference, Kaja Kallas responded to U.S. criticisms, rejecting accusations of restricting freedom of expression and denying that the EU risks extinction. She then criticized Russia, describing it not as a superpower but as a country in difficulty, and called for strict conditions in negotiations with Putin and clarity regarding Kyiv’s accession. Christine Lagarde, meanwhile, highlighted new investments by international funds in Europe’s strategic sectors.
Economy and Finance
Employment: The Italian labour market shows mixed signals: employment increased by approximately 850,000 units between December 2022 and 2025, with a slight rise in the employment rate to 62.5%, still below the EU average. Unemployment has decreased to 5.6%, but the “million jobs” primarily concern workers over 50, while those under 24 have declined. Growth is partly driven by demographic and regulatory factors, including a marked ageing of the workforce and a high proportion of inactive individuals. Female and youth participation remain low, highlighting structural challenges for the Italian labour market.
Automotive: The future of electric vehicles—once heralded as a green, silent revolution—is now confronting massive write-downs: recent losses in the automotive sector total $65 billion. Automakers including Stellantis, Ford, Volkswagen, and Honda are scaling back investment plans, abandoning numerous electric models in favour of traditional engines. Consumer disappointment and Chinese competition, led by BYD, have slowed the market, even causing Tesla’s sales to decline. Thus, the energy transition is colliding with economic and market challenges, revealing a future less linear than previously anticipated.