Domestic Policy
Justice: The debate on reforming the crime of sexual violence has reignited following a proposal by Senator Giulia Bongiorno, a well-known criminal law expert, who replaces the reference to “free and current consent” with “the will to oppose the sexual act,” to be assessed based on context. The change reduces the base penalty and marks a break in the bipartisan agreement between the government and opposition. The centre-left denounces a regression that risks shifting the burden onto the victim, while part of the majority defends the new balance between protecting women and ensuring procedural safeguards.
Quirinale: During a meeting at the Quirinale with young diplomats, winners of the competition for legation secretaries, President Sergio Mattarella reaffirmed the centrality of the European Union in Italy’s international action. According to the head of state, safeguarding the cohesion, strength, and prestige of the EU coincides with defending the national interest. Mattarella also emphasised the importance of shared rules and international law, urging the international community to uphold principles of civilisation to avoid descent into “barbarism.”
Foreign Policy
Ukraine: In his speech at the Davos Forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky harshly criticised the European Union, describing it as fragmented and lacking the political will necessary to act as a global power. While acknowledging European support, he denounced delays on sanctions, the use of frozen Russian funds, and the creation of a tribunal for Russian aggression, stressing that without the involvement of the United States, real security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be achieved. The speech was met with a prolonged round of applause.
Board of Peace: A scaled-down version of the Board of Peace, initiated by Donald Trump, was launched in Davos. Approved by the United Nations as part of the plan for Gaza, the body is intended, according to the US president, to assume a global role. The organisation envisages strong powers concentrated in the presidency and significant financial contributions from members, raising concerns about the weakening of the UN. Of the nearly 60 countries invited, about twenty signed yesterday, including Argentina, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan, while political, diplomatic, and international legitimacy concerns keep major European countries at a distance.
Economy and Finance
Mercosur: The possibility of launching the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur agreement from March is at the heart of discussions among European leaders. A symbolic start date linked to Paraguay’s ratification—the first Mercosur country to begin the process—is being considered, aiming to avoid further deadlock after more than 25 years of negotiations and to counter US protectionism. The business world is pushing for a swift entry into force, but deep political divisions persist between the Parliament, the Commission, and member states. Germany is in favour, France is opposed, while in Brussels there is debate over whether to proceed even without full parliamentary approval.
Mps: Mps has postponed the approval of the regulation for the board of directors list, which will lead to the renewal of top management on 15 April, until 28 January for further analysis. At the centre of the debate is the role of CEO Luigi Lovaglio, who is under investigation in the probe into the takeover of Mediobanca, and the possibility of him voting on the list of candidates, permitted under Consob’s guidelines. However, his participation in consultations with shareholders remains blocked. The confirmation of Lovaglio will depend on shareholder approval of the integration plan with Mediobanca, expected between mid-February and 7 March.