Domestic Policy
Prime Minister: During a rally in Bari, Giorgia Meloni defended the 18.7 billion euro budget law, rejecting accusations that it is “a measure for the wealthy” and asserting it was designed “to help the most vulnerable and the middle class.” She attacked the opposition, recalling the “40 billion euros in Superbonus credits to be repaid” inherited from the Conte government. The Prime Minister emphasized the unity of the centre-right coalition, praising the coalition’s cohesion and recalling Pinuccio Tatarella, while Salvini revived the proposal to cancel tax arrears and Tajani ruled out new property taxes. In the background, the electoral challenge in Puglia and Campania remains open.
Data Protection Authority: Political debate has reignited over the “Report affair” following an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest involving the Data Protection Authority. Opposition parties, led by Elly Schlein, are demanding the resignation of the entire council, denouncing its management as “serious and disheartening.” Giorgia Meloni responded that the government “has no authority” to dissolve the Authority, recalling that its leadership was appointed under the previous PD-5Star government. At the centre of the accusations is Agostino Ghiglia (Brothers of Italy), filmed at party headquarters before the decision to sanction Report.
Foreign Policy
France: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has left La Santé prison after Paris’s Court of Appeal granted him conditional release. Convicted of five years for illegally financing his 2007 campaign with Libyan funds, he had begun serving his sentence less than three weeks ago. He is now prohibited from leaving France or contacting co-defendants or witnesses. Sarkozy, 70, described prison as “a nightmare” and reiterated his innocence: “I never asked Ghaddafi for money.” His appeal trial will take place in spring. The former president also expressed appreciation for prison staff for their “exceptional humanity.”
BBC: The BBC’s image of impartiality is under scrutiny after the discovery of a manipulated edit of Donald Trump’s 2021 speech, which made him appear to incite the Capitol Hill assault. The segment, broadcast by the Panorama programme, was resurrected over a year later, sparking a wave of controversy amplified by international right-wing figures. The White House is now threatening a billion-dollar lawsuit against the broadcaster: Trump’s lawyers have demanded the BBC publicly correct the error and offer compensation by 14 November, undermining the prestigious British public service model.
Economy and Finance
Budget Law: In an interview published in Sole 24 Ore, Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo defended the proposed two-point reduction in the intermediate IRPEF tax rate, which opposition parties accuse of “favouring the wealthy.” Leo countered that “the measure will affect approximately 13.6 million taxpayers,” and “three-quarters of them declare incomes below 50,000 euros,” meaning “certainly not the rich.” He also claimed continuity with the previous Draghi reform, but with “a more selective and sustainable approach” aimed at benefiting the middle class. The Deputy Minister stressed that for incomes above 200,000 euros, “the benefit is neutralised” to ensure progressivity. He finally dismissed the idea of a wealth tax, calling it “ineffective, distorting, and constitutionally questionable.”
UniCredit: UniCredit has appealed to the Council of State against the ruling of the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, which had partially upheld a challenge against the government’s Golden Power decree concerning Banco BPM. The ruling annulled two provisions regarding the loan-to-deposit ratio and project finance portfolio, while confirming obligations such as exiting Russia and maintaining its stake in Anima Holding. The judgment highlights the limitations of Golden Power in the banking sector and its compatibility with EU law, stressing the need for transparency and certainty for shareholders.