Domestic Policy
Giorgia Meloni: In her over-20-minute interview with Sky Tg 24, Prime Minister Meloni addressed a wide range of topics, from domestic and international politics to measures on utility bills and the Olympics, expressing satisfaction with Italy’s performance. She also welcomed the invitation issued by President Sergio Mattarella while presiding over the Csm, commenting: “Right words, I would even say necessary,” and highlighting “the moment when he tells us it is important that an institution like the Csm remains detached from political disputes.” Meloni urged Italians to vote responsibly in the March referendum, stressing the importance of a decision based on the merits of the reform, and criticised the apocalyptic tone and tensions of the referendum campaign, underscoring a desire for dialogue and moderation.
Rai: The crisis at Rai comes to an end: Paolo Petrecca is stepping down as director of Rai Sport following controversy over the commentary during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. He will remain in his role until the end of the Games, after which the position will be temporarily assumed by deputy director Marco Lollobrigida. For the Democratic Party, the resignation was necessary and arrived too late. Behind the scenes, political tensions persist, with possible discussions involving Palazzo Chigi and the upcoming hearing of Rai CEO Giampaolo Rossi before the Supervisory Commission, scheduled for 11 March.
Foreign Policy
Board of Peace: In Washington, Donald Trump inaugurated the Board of Peace for Gaza yesterday, announcing billions of dollars in aid and an international stabilization force, as tensions with Iran escalate. The Board, supported also by Marco Rubio, has attracted participation from several countries, but Europe remains lukewarm due to doubts about its role relative to the UN. Leaders such as Viktor Orban and Javier Milei were present, along with observers from the European Union and Italian figures including Dubravka Suica and Antonio Tajani. France, Russia, and China were absent.
Sea-Watch: The NGO Sea-Watch has announced its return to sea following the revocation of the ban by the Catania court, which ruled that the failure to communicate with Libyan authorities was justified. The decision, coupled with the annulment in Genoa of sanctions against the Geo Barents vessel operated by Doctors Without Borders, reignites the political conflict. Giorgia Meloni and the governing majority have attacked the judges, while opposition figures, including Giuseppe Conte and Laura Boldrini, have defended the magistrates’ rulings.
Economy and Finance
Energy: Following the approval of the decree on utility bills, shares of Italian energy companies on the stock exchange recorded significant declines, including Enel (-3.59%) and A2a (-2.21%). The new regulations, including the increase in Irap and changes to the rules governing ETS, threaten profit margins and investments in the energy sector, raising concerns among operators and international analysts. The government, with Minister Pichetto Fratin, downplays the impacts, while the ECB notes in its economic bulletin that electricity prices for households in Italy are more than 100% higher than those for industries.
Milleproroghe: At the Chamber of Deputies, opposition parties blocked key amendments to the Milleproroghe bill, despite the government’s favourable opinions: the reopening of the quater settlement scheme and the provision on the Piombino regasification plant were halted. Measures on INPS disability benefits and the “Save Molise” initiative also fell through. However, the bill passed with the extension of the agreement with Radio Radicale, reduced hiring bonuses, and discounted rates for the publishing sector, causing tensions with the Italian Federation of Newspaper Publishers over the refusal to extend the tax credit for purchasing newspaper paper.