Domestic Policy
Justice: The referendum on the Nordio reform enters an uncertain phase: the Court of Cassation has rephrased the already admitted question, accepting a petition from a group of jurists and including an explicit reference to the constitutional articles modified, as required by law 352 of 1970. The amendment also affects the timeline: the vote scheduled for 22–23 March could be postponed if a new convocation decree becomes necessary. Meanwhile, the Administrative Court (Tar) has rejected the appeal against the early call. The case sets a delicate procedural precedent in constitutional referendums.
League: Roberto Vannacci welcomes former League deputies Edoardo Ziello and Rossano Sasso, who have criticised the government’s pro-Ukraine stance, into the mixed group, opening a right-wing front within the majority. Also joining them is deputy Emanuele Pozzolo; however, Domenico Furgiuele (League) and Aboubakar Soumahoro (mixed group) do not appear interested. Meanwhile, the “Futuro Nazionale” symbol is at the centre of a dispute: it is claimed by the heirs of a former M5S councillor and contested due to its similarity to “Nazione Futura”.
Foreign Policy
Italy–United States: Giorgia Meloni met in Milan with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived for the inauguration of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Antonio Tajani was also present. The discussion covered bilateral relations and key international issues, underlining shared values between Europe and the United States. In a relaxed and cordial atmosphere, Vance praised the organisation of the Games and reaffirmed the strength of economic and political ties between the two countries.
Russia: In Moscow, General Vladimir Alekseyev, second-in-command of Russia’s military intelligence services, was seriously wounded in an armed attack attributed by Moscow to Ukraine, highlighting vulnerabilities in Russian internal security. Meanwhile, Brussels has presented the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia, while some countries are considering reopening dialogue with Moscow. On the nuclear front, the Russian–US New Start treaty remains stalled, having expired on Thursday, amid tensions between Washington and Moscow, and with calls for China to join the negotiations.
Economy and Finance
Stellantis: Stellantis has shaken the markets: the stock price fell by 25% on the exchange following the announcement of 22.2 billion euros in charges, cash outflows of 6.5 billion euros over the next four years, and the suspension of dividends. The measures stem from a major strategic shift in the electric vehicle sector, with a deep revision of industrial choices. CEO Antonio Filosa spoke of a “strategic reset”, admitting that previous forecasts on the speed of the transition were overly optimistic. Ford and General Motors have also recently slowed down their electrification plans.
Ex Ilva: At the former Ilva plant in Taranto, blast furnace 2 will be restarted around 20 February after millions of euros worth of work on refractories, cooling systems, and the hearth. The fate of blast furnace 1, seized after a fire, remains uncertain: the investigating judge will decide on its release, but would require eight months of interventions. Converter 3 remains under seizure following a fatal accident. The “Ambiente Svenduto” trial resumes in Potenza, with among the defendants the Riva brothers, Nicola and Fabio, the former Taranto plant director Luigi Capogrosso, and former Puglia Region president Nichi Vendola. Production, currently at 1.5–1.8 million tonnes, will exceed 2.5 million only after April, while the Marcegaglia group has offered to increase its orders.