- 3d ago
Pedro Sánchez turns down Littizzetto's invitation to Italy and backs Elly Schlein
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez answered comedian Luciana Littizzetto's on-air invitation to move to Italy by saying he must stay in Spain to cook paella for at least four more years. He also said he could not imagine a better person than Elly Schlein to lead Italy's centre-left.
- 3d ago
Italian students pitch tents at Montecitorio over rents, housing and university funding
Students from the Unione degli Universitari set up tents in front of the Chamber of Deputies in Rome on 12 October, demanding a meeting with minister Anna Maria Bernini and 7 billion euros for public universities.
- Oct 6
Conte reveals rejected leadership compromise with Schlein and urges faster primaries
Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte confirmed proposing a neutral third candidate to head Italy's opposition coalition, prompting calls for expedited primaries after Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein refused to step aside.
- Oct 5
Italy's tax burden rises to 43.5% in second quarter as household purchasing power drops
Istat data shows Italian fiscal pressure climbed 0.5 percentage points in the second quarter of 2026 while household savings fell to 6.7%, complicating budget negotiations for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government.
- Oct 5
Italy's lower house passes Meloni's electoral reform 227 to 164, opposition calls it unconstitutional
The reform introduces a proportional system with a seat bonus for alliances above 42% of the vote. Centre-left parties say it is meant to keep Meloni in power, and legal challenges are being prepared for when the law takes effect.
- Oct 5
Italian diesel prices rise following excise discount expiry as Eni trims rate to 2.21 euros
Average Italian diesel prices reached 2.261 euros per litre on 7 October following the end of a 6.1-cent excise tax cut, prompting renewed debate over mobile duties and commercial price caps.
- Oct 4
Matteo Renzi demands three coalition guarantees from Giuseppe Conte at Leopolda convention
Italia Viva leader Matteo Renzi closed the 14th Leopolda convention in Florence on 4 October 2026, proposing a German-style coalition contract and setting terms for Giuseppe Conte.
- Oct 2
Italy seeks €28.8B deficit deviation for energy and defense as budget tensions rise
The Italian government has submitted a 143-page fiscal blueprint to Parliament requesting 28.8 billion euros in extra borrowing for 2027 and 2028, divided equally between energy relief and military spending.
- Oct 2
Schlein and Conte Clash Over Coalition Primaries and Platform Terms in Italy
Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein and Five Star Movement president Giuseppe Conte staked out opposing terms for leadership and policy compromises as the center-left coalition prepares for open primaries.
- Sep 19
Giuseppe Conte leads Elly Schlein with 38% in Italian center-left primary poll
An Ipsos survey for Corriere della Sera shows Giuseppe Conte securing 38% of voter preferences over Elly Schlein at 22%, bolstered by support among left-wing and pacifist voters.
- Sep 12
Italian Senate quadruples ballot signature rules to 6,000 per district for new parties
The Italian Senate approved an amendment raising the signature threshold from 1,500 to 6,000 per constituency for parties outside parliament, drawing protests from opposition leaders.
- Sep 7
Italian party leaders clash over NATO spending and economic policy at Cernobbio forum
Italian opposition figures and cabinet ministers gathered in Cernobbio on 6 September 2026 to debate military spending, social policy, and economic priorities at the TEHA Ambrosetti Forum.
- Sep 1
Italian Senator Dario Franceschini Discloses Six-Year Parkinson's Diagnosis
Italian Senator and former Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has publicly revealed his six-year diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, urging patients not to isolate themselves.
- Jul 29
Beppe Grillo attacks his own Five Star Movement: 'It was born to change politics, politics changed it'
The co-founder and former guarantor of Italy's Movimento 5 Stelle returned to his blog after a long silence to accuse the party now led by Giuseppe Conte of abandoning its founding principles.
- Jul 29
Italy to request full 14.9 billion euro EU defence loan, coalition divided
Foreign Minister Tajani announced the decision to tap the EU's SAFE facility for up to 14.9 billion euros, but Defence Minister Crosetto immediately clarified the funds are a technical financing alternative, not new spending, exposing deep divisions within the ruling coalition.
- Jul 21
AI video of Italian far-right politician as Roman emperor condemning opponents to death sparks outrage
An AI-generated video posted by far-right Italian politician Roberto Vannacci shows him as a Roman emperor ordering the death of opposition leaders, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at his side. The clip has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum.
