Domestic Policy
Security: Giorgia Meloni travelled to Turin to visit police officers injured during the demonstration for Askatasuna, urging prosecutors to adopt the utmost rigor against violent demonstrators, whom she holds responsible for attempted murder. The government has opted for a firm stance, aiming to accelerate the security decree to strengthen public order and protect law enforcement. Central to the debate are measures such as a 12-hour preventive detention, deferred prosecutorial action for lawful use of force, and organisational interventions in favour of officers. The executive is evaluating which provisions to immediately include in the decree, in agreement with the Quirinal Palace, and which to defer to a bill to avoid constitutional concerns.
Interview with Matteo Piantedosi: In an interview with La Stampa, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi reconstructs the management of the Turin clashes, explaining he was in constant contact with security leadership and highlighting preventive measures taken. According to the minister, “the effectiveness of the security apparatus is evidenced by the identification of approximately 800 individuals” prior to the march. However, collected information reveals that “the aims and methods of that march clearly have a subversive, and therefore potentially terrorist, character.” Piantedosi argues that the new security package could have made a difference, as “preventive screening could have been strengthened by the possibility of imposing police detention for at least 12 hours.”
Foreign Policy
Ukraine: Anticipation builds for the upcoming trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, scheduled for 4–5 February in Abu Dhabi, while the war continues with Russian raids causing casualties and damage in Ukraine. Recently, a drone attack on a bus killed 15 miners in Dnipro, signalling an escalation of the conflict on the ground. Violence persists with attacks on Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and other areas, resulting in injuries and power outages. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accuses Europe of seeking to drive a wedge between Russia and the United States, defending Moscow’s and its allies’ interests.
United States: The special election in the Fort Worth, Texas district—won decisively by Democrat Taylor Rehmet in a historically conservative area—alarms Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The defeat occurred despite strong financial and political backing, including from Trump, for the conservative candidate. The result confirms a series of setbacks for the right across several states and fits into a broader context of declining popularity for Trump, as confirmed by Pew polls. Particularly concerning is the drop in support among Hispanic voters, while Democrats see a potential victory in November.
Iran: Turkey is mediating negotiations between the United States and Iran, hosting a meeting in Ankara between U.S. envoy Witkoff and Iranian officials, with participation from Egypt and Qatar. The White House has expressed openness to an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran demands the lifting of sanctions and the right to civilian nuclear enrichment. Ankara proposes solutions such as transferring enriched uranium. Meanwhile, Washington is reinforcing its defences in the Middle East, prepared to respond militarily if necessary. Internal repression in Iran continues, with arrests of critical intellectuals, though prominent activist Erfan Soltani has been released.
Economy and Finance
Generali: The meeting between Generali CEO Philippe Donnet and UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel, scheduled in Milan, marks the resumption of talks on potential industrial partnerships, suspended last year. The context has changed: new equilibria in Italian finance, the role of MPS in Mediobanca, and tensions over the golden power are prompting Donnet to seek an alternative to Natixis to strengthen the Italian anchoring of the Lion. UniCredit appears the ideal partner to integrate asset management and distribution, especially ahead of the end of the agreement with Amundi in 2027. Such an agreement would strengthen both companies and be viewed favourably by the government.