Domestic Policy
Memory: The Day of Memory reignites political and social debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the meaning of antisemitism. Alongside official Holocaust commemorations, student mobilisations emerge demanding that Palestinian victims also be remembered and contesting anti-Semitism legislation currently under discussion in Parliament. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are not authorised, yet protests continue. At the heart of the political debate are eight draft laws and the definition of antisemitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, supported by the centre-right but contested by the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement, while a possible cross-party mediation is emerging in the Senate.
Olympics: Tensions arising in the United States following the events in Minneapolis have reached the organisation of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, opening a delicate debate on sovereignty and security management. Central to the debate is the potential involvement of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Games’ “red zones”. Statements by Minister Piantedosi and various political figures have fuelled discussion between the government and opposition. However, the US Embassy has clarified that ICE will perform only investigative support activities, while security authority will remain Italian.
Foreign Policy
Israel: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Italy to express the government’s protest following an incident involving two Carabinieri stationed at the Italian General Consulate in Jerusalem. The soldiers were stopped near Ramallah in the West Bank by an Israeli settler who threatened them while brandishing a submachine gun. The two Carabinieri were in the area to conduct a site inspection ahead of a planned visit by European ambassadors to a village in the region.
United States: The killing of Alex Pretti during a federal operation has ignited tensions in Minneapolis, sparking protests, political clashes, and controversy over ICE’s use of force. The deployment of “border czar” Tom Homan signals an attempt to manage the crisis, accompanied by unusually conciliatory tones from Donald Trump toward Democratic Governor Walz. The city remains on alert, while fractures emerge within the Republican front and a fierce legal confrontation opens between the state and federal administration. The incident also reverberates in Washington, where Democrats threaten to block funding allocated to ICE.
Economy and Finance
Confindustria: The Italian economy shows signs of significant slowdown, according to the latest Flash Economic Outlook published by Confindustria’s Research Centre. Key factors include the euro’s appreciation (+13% against the dollar), international tensions, and rising energy prices—with oil at $65 and gas still at high levels. Investments supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan are holding up, but business confidence is declining. Financial markets suffer from political tensions, while European stock exchanges show greater stability than their US counterparts.
India: After two decades of negotiations, Brussels is ready to sign a trade agreement with India, covering trade that reached €136 billion in 2024–2025. The acceleration followed the 25% US tariffs imposed on India. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are in New Delhi, confirming the strong partnership between the EU and India, committed to strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, security, defence, and green transition. The agreement, excluding the agricultural sector, aims to diversify markets and strengthen economic ties, with a potential market of approximately 2 billion people.