Domestic Policy
Fertility: Sergio Mattarella, at the General Assembly on Fertility, warns that demographic decline poses a threat to welfare, the economy, and public finances. Low birth rates, driven by delays in employment, housing autonomy, and low incomes, particularly affect inland areas and the South. Mattarella stresses the importance of creating a favourable environment for fertility, including the integration of migrants, and highlights the value of hope and social values, recalling society’s commitment to promoting a more solidarity-based and fair future.
Atreju: The potential two-way challenge between Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein at Atreju has turned into a political case. After the Democratic secretary opened the door to a direct confrontation, Meloni renews her proposal for a three-way debate including Giuseppe Conte, emphasising that the opposition has yet to have a single recognised leader. Conte immediately accepts, seizing the opportunity to reassert his role. Schlein responds by accusing Meloni of “running away” and proposes extending the debate to include leaders from both coalitions. In the evening, Fratelli d’Italia closes the door: no debate until the opposition has a recognised leader.
Foreign Policy
Ukraine: Vladimir Putin has confirmed that an American delegation will arrive in Moscow next week and that Russia is ready to cooperate on Trump’s plan, but only if Kyiv renounces the Donbass. Otherwise, Russia will achieve its military objectives. Russian forces are intensifying their offensive in Ukraine, inflicting heavy losses on Kyiv. Putin considers the Ukrainian leadership illegitimate and rejects accusations of secret negotiations with the United States, dismissing claims about American strategy as ridiculous. Regarding the confiscation of Russian assets, he describes them as theft with a negative impact on the global financial system.
Turkey: Pope Leo XIV has begun his first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon with a visit to Atatürk’s mausoleum. Welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, the Pope stressed that the messages of the visit aim to promote peace between the Christian and Islamic worlds. Addressing journalists, he recalled the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, highlighting that the journey aims to promote unity among Christians and to convey a message of hope and dialogue for the entire world.
Economy and Finance
Mps: The Milan Prosecutor’s Office is investigating alleged violations of law, obstruction of supervision, and market manipulation related to Mps’ acquisition of Mediobanca, as well as the activities of Gaetano Caltagirone, the Del Vecchio group, and Luigi Lovaglio. Warnings have been issued to the top executives of the involved companies, and offices at Montepaschi have been searched. The investigation aims to verify the existence of a pre-existing agreement not communicated to supervisory authorities, with further inquiries into previous financial operations and Mediobanca share acquisitions. The prosecutor’s action has negatively impacted banking sector shares.
Strait Bridge: The Cipess resolution on the €13.5 billion Messina Strait Bridge project presents four major issues: violations of the Habitat Directive and European procurement rules, exclusion of the Transport Regulatory Authority and Nars, and procedural irregularities. The Court of Auditors highlights deficiencies in the investigation and failure to meet transparency and participation requirements. Palazzo Chigi and the Ministry commit to clarifying the reasons, while the Court rejects the resolution, deeming it non-compliant with the law.