Domestic Policy
Justice Referendum: The Council of Ministers has set the confirmatory referendum on the justice reform for Sunday, 22 and Monday, 23 March, officially confirming what had been previously announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The decision is contested by some “No” committees, which announce they will appeal to the Administrative Court (Tar), claiming a violation of constitutional deadlines for collecting signatures for a popular initiative. The government and supporters of the “Yes” side defend the legitimacy of the date and urge the launch of the referendum campaign.
Education: The Council of Ministers has appointed four commissioners ad acta in Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, and Sardinia to implement school restructuring, closing the dialogue with regions governed by the opposition. The decision has raised concerns from the centre-left, which speaks of centralisation, cuts to public education, and erosion of local autonomy, while the affected regional governors announce they will fight back. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara defends the measure, stating: “Schools will not be closed. This is a necessary measure to honour commitments made under the PNRR.”
Foreign Policy
Venezuela: Venezuela has released Alberto Trentini and businessman Mario Burlò after more than a year of detention without formal charges, allowing their return to Italy, scheduled for today. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the operation, thanking Venezuelan authorities and Italy’s diplomatic and security networks for their efforts. With these releases, the number of Italians freed in recent weeks rises to four, while 42 Italian-Venezuelans remain detained in Venezuela, 24 of whom are considered political prisoners. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, asking him to intercede for the release of all the country’s political prisoners.
Iran: The crackdown on protests in Iran continues with extreme severity, including shootings, mass arrests, and a death toll in the hundreds, according to human rights organisations, while Tehran remains silent on official figures. Internet blackouts hinder independent verification of information, although testimonies and images continue to emerge documenting the high number of casualties, particularly in peripheral areas. Internationally, the United States is evaluating possible responses, maintaining contacts with both the Iranian government and the opposition, while Tehran accuses Washington and Israel of interference.
Economy and Finance
Fed: In the United States, a criminal investigation has been opened into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, focusing on the restructuring of the central bank’s headquarters and alleged false statements to Congress. Powell has rejected the accusations, describing them as a politically motivated attempt linked to his clash with the Trump administration over interest rates, and has received support from former Fed chairs and former Treasury secretaries defending the institution’s independence.
Automotive: The European Commission has presented new guidelines that would allow Chinese electric car manufacturers to avoid the tariffs introduced in 2024, provided they comply with commitments on pricing and investment within the EU. The initiative aims to ease trade tensions with Beijing, specifying strict criteria to neutralise the effects of subsidies and ensure monitoring of commitments. Welcomed by China, the move forms part of a broader realignment of global economic relations, while the presence of Chinese manufacturers in the European market continues to grow.