1National Politics

1.1PD senator Dario Franceschini discloses Parkinson's diagnosis

Democratic Party senator Dario Franceschini, 67, said in an interview with Corriere della Sera that he has Parkinson's disease. He stated he was diagnosed in November 2020 and chose to make it public only now. Franceschini served four terms as Culture Minister, most recently in the Draghi government from 2021 to 2022, was Minister for Parliamentary Relations in 2013-2014, and led the PD as secretary from February to November 2009. He was a deputy from 2001 to 2022 and has sat in the Senate since. The report contains no statement from him on his intentions regarding his parliamentary seat.

Il Post, 31 August 2026 — https://www.ilpost.it/2026/08/31/dario-franceschini-pd-morbo-parkinson/

1.2Meloni government set to become longest-serving in republican history on 4 September

The Meloni government is due to pass 1,413 days in office on Friday, exceeding the duration of the second Berlusconi government and becoming the longest-serving executive of the Italian Republic. ANSA lists as reference points of the term the fall in the BTP-Bund spread from around 220 to about 80 basis points and the reduction of the deficit-to-GDP ratio from 8% to just over 3%. It also records the loss of the March 2026 justice referendum, three ministerial departures (Raffaele Fitto, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Daniela Santanchè), the stalling of the premierato constitutional reform, and friction with the United States over Iran and tariffs. Meloni is quoted repeating the phrase "manca solo l'invasione delle cavallette."

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/meloni-e-il-record-di-longevita-manca-solo-linvasione-delle-cavallette..._9c56b76f-c1be-461e-b806-f8f6ac051d1e.html

1.3ANSA sets out the calendar and open questions of the legislature's final year

ANSA reports that the Senate will shortly vote on the electoral law including preference-voting provisions, and that figures in the coalition acknowledge a defeat on the text could open the question of Meloni's resignation. Pending economic files listed are fuel prices, military spending, and a €14 billion flexibility package from the EU tied to Italy exiting the excessive deficit procedure. Internal coalition issues cited are renewal pressure inside Forza Italia, demands from northern Lega members for more collegial leadership, and Roberto Vannacci's electoral positioning. The immediate dates given are the Reggio Calabria by-election after 22 September and an EU fiscal procedure update; municipal elections in Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Palermo and Bologna fall in 2027, with a possible general election in spring 2027.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/le-incognite-dellultimo-anno-e-la-premier-pensa-al-bis_a99d3a65-23ea-447b-971f-11fbdba6830f.html

1.4La Russa says Meloni will not be a candidate for the presidency of the Republic this time

Speaking at the EtnaForum, Senate President Ignazio La Russa said Giorgia Meloni "would make a splendid president of the Republic" but that this will not happen now, because she holds a central role in the centre-right coalition. Asked about his own prospects, La Russa said: "No one would want me. Second, modestly I wouldn't want it either." The remarks concern the succession to Sergio Mattarella, whose term is approaching its end. La Russa added that he already feels constrained by the Senate presidency and remains attached to active politics.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/la-russa-meloni-sarebbe-splendida-presidente-della-repubblica-ma-non-questa-volta_a24ffb91-cea5-4575-997b-0d0e696dcecc.html

1.5Ranucci sends legal letter to RAI contesting his removal from Report

Sigfrido Ranucci's lawyers sent RAI a six-page letter demanding an explanation for his removal from the presentation of Report; his counsel Roberto De Vita said that "if Ranucci is incompatible with Report's direction, this must be explained." Ranucci rejected the alternative posts offered by RAI and said he would defend himself on his own. Senate President Ignazio La Russa denied having asked for Ranucci's replacement, saying instead that Report's methods should have been questioned. Angelo Bonelli (AVS) and Davide Faraone (Italia Viva) both criticised the decision. RAI is not expected to reverse the appointment of Giulia Presutti and Daniele Piervincenzi, who take over from 8 November.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/settimana-di-confronto-su-report.-ranucci-mi-difendo-da-solo_7fec83ce-e240-4b98-93b5-b772fce9b9d4.html

1.6Centre-left prepares parliamentary and street campaign against electoral law

The centre-left is organising opposition to the electoral reform, whose debate resumes in the Senate on Tuesday. PD senator Dario Parrini accused the majority of wanting a runoff "out of fear of losing"; Carlo Calenda said the government "keeps adding pieces to the electoral law." Riccardo Magi (+Europa) announced demonstrations modelled on the "Night of Democracy" held during the Chamber's approval on 15 August. The opposition is coordinating amendments and has not ruled out street mobilisation. The final Senate vote is scheduled for 15 September, and the M5S has called a rally in Milan on 19-20 September.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/dallaula-alla-piazza-il-centrosinistra-prepara-battaglia-sulla-legge-elettorale_37d18f32-d0ab-4cc7-9597-25b4c76b0a8b.html

1.7Di Battista hospitalised in Havana; government sends specialists from Gemelli

Former M5S deputy Alessandro Di Battista, 48, remains in serious condition at the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital in Havana after severe headaches and loss of consciousness on Friday while working on a reportage in Cuba; he was first treated in Santa Clara and then transferred to the capital. The Italian government sent two specialists from Rome's Gemelli hospital to consult with Cuban doctors and made a state medical aircraft available, though his condition currently prevents transport. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani telephoned him. M5S leader Giuseppe Conte is in contact with the family and the Farnesina, alongside Italian Ambassador to Cuba Simona De Martino.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/alessandro-di-battista-ricoverato-medici-del-gemelli-verso-cuba_f010ae59-c324-40bb-a41d-89abef927aa2.html

1.8Majority weighs adding a runoff to the electoral law before Senate amendment deadline

The centre-right is examining modifications to the electoral law, with a runoff (ballottaggio) for the majority bonus re-emerging as an option; the coalition met Monday ahead of the amendment deadline at the Senate Constitutional Affairs Commission on Tuesday at noon. Minister for Parliamentary Relations Luca Ciriani said preference voting will be included and described it as "Meloni's battle." FdI senator Marcello Pera is pushing the runoff and Ignazio La Russa is reported as not opposed; Forza Italia has not ruled it out while the Lega is the most sceptical partner. Open technical issues include constitutionality of the runoff, gender alternation on lists, and the risk of divergent results between the two chambers. The opposition is preparing around 1,000 amendments.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/29/la-maggioranza-studia-le-modifiche-alla-legge-elettorale-rispunta-il-ballottaggio_f496eb85-0a13-4f2f-9a24-a003316a7cd6.html

1.9Poll puts Vannacci's Futuro Nazionale ahead of Forza Italia

A BiDiMedia poll conducted between 6 and 26 August puts Roberto Vannacci's Futuro Nazionale at 8%, ahead of Forza Italia at 7.3%. Futuro Nazionale gained 0.9 points, the largest single-party increase in the survey. According to BiDiMedia's projection, the centre-right without Vannacci would reach 39.2%, below the 42% threshold required to trigger the majority bonus under the new electoral law, while the centre-left is credited with 44.7%. Forza Italia secretary Antonio Tajani dismissed the result, saying "it's just one survey" and that Vannacci "represents the opposition." Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli suggested possible cooperation with Vannacci, which Fratelli d'Italia described as a personal statement.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/28/i-sondaggi-premiano-ancora-futuro-nazionale-vannacci-sorpassa-tajani_0007ff92-62ed-4cd2-aa06-43b89bc9e5de.html

1.10RAI removes Sigfrido Ranucci from Report and names two new presenters

RAI announced that Sigfrido Ranucci will no longer present Report, the RAI 3 investigative programme he had hosted since 2017 after working there as an author from 2006. Giulia Presutti, a Report correspondent since 2018, and Daniele Piervincenzi will present the programme when it returns on 8 November. RAI gave no official reason; the decision follows the investigation into the October 2025 bomb attack at Ranucci's home, in which entrepreneur Valter Lavitola is implicated, and the emergence of Ranucci's exchanges of confidential RAI documents with Lavitola. Ranucci is not under investigation. He said the replacements "mortify the professionalism that shaped Report"; Report correspondents threatened collective resignation.

Il Post, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ilpost.it/2026/08/28/rai-sospeso-conduttore-report-ranucci/

2International Politics

2.1Italy extends suspension of Schengen with Spain for a further 15 days

The Interior Ministry announced on 31 August that air and sea border controls on arrivals from Spain, due to expire the same day, will be extended for 15 more days. The controls apply only to third-country nationals and do not affect Italian, Spanish or other EU citizens. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi discussed the extension by telephone with his Spanish counterpart Fernando Grande-Marlaska in a conversation the ministry described as constructive, and said he hoped it would be the last extension. Between 5,000 and 10,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after an influx of some 60,000 people in late July. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called the measure "an unjustified and unjustifiable affront to Spanish dignity."

Euronews Italia, 31 August 2026 — https://it.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/31/litalia-conferma-il-blocco-di-schengen-con-madrid-per-altri-15-giorni-a-causa-delle-tensio

2.2Iceland referendum rejects reopening EU accession talks

Icelandic voters rejected the resumption of EU membership negotiations by 52.8% to 47.2%, a margin of 12,701 votes. Support was concentrated in Reykjavík, where 57% voted yes, while the "no" vote exceeded 60% in three of the four other constituencies. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir acknowledged the defeat and said voters preferred Iceland's existing relationship through EFTA and the European Economic Area; the government said it will not reopen the question before 2028. A European Commission spokesperson said the EU "takes note of the referendum outcome and respects the choice of the Icelandic people." Marine Le Pen, Nigel Farage and Italy's Roberto Vannacci publicly welcomed the result.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/2026/08/30/lislanda-dice-no-alla-ue-il-528-boccia-il-referendum_01bc8e51-e900-4a8b-91da-006fe77caa7f.html

2.3Piantedosi signals 31 August decision on Schengen controls, citing Ceuta security assessments

Ahead of the deadline, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the situation in Ceuta was "far from improved" and described conditions as complicated, with 5,000 to 10,000 migrants still present and largely unidentified. He referred to Spanish intelligence warnings about possible individuals with a jihadist profile, said the final decision would be taken on 31 August, and stated Italy had no intention of conflict with Spain, which he called a "fraternal country." Senate Foreign Affairs and Defence Commission chair Maurizio Gasparri cited continuing disorder and infectious disease risks. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner welcomed additional Spanish measures and confirmed support from Frontex, Europol and the EUAA.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/29/ceuta-ancora-in-crisi-roma-valuta-un-nuovo-stop-a-schengen_1d9a3301-7808-49c8-9691-e19878f4181d.html

2.4Former Ukrainian defence minister Fedorov appointed innovation adviser to Crosetto

Mykhailo Fedorov, removed as Ukraine's defence minister by President Zelensky in July 2026 after a dispute with the armed forces command over war strategy, has been appointed innovation consultant to Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. Following protests over his removal, Zelensky dismissed military commander Oleksandr Syrsky and offered Fedorov another government post, which Fedorov declined. Crosetto cited Fedorov's record in drone warfare and in digitalising the Ukrainian state apparatus. Fedorov said he would help Italy adapt to modern warfare technologies, strengthen its defence sector and respond to emerging global security challenges.

Il Post, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ilpost.it/2026/08/28/fedorov-ex-ministro-ucraina-consulente-crosetto/

3Economics

3.1BTP-Bund spread stable at 83 basis points while ten-year yield reaches 4.11%

The BTP-Bund spread opened at 83 basis points on 31 August, stable for a third consecutive session, while the Italian ten-year yield rose to 4.11%, its highest level since December 2023; the German Bund stood at 3.28%. The Spanish Bono yielded 3.73% with a 45 basis point spread and the French OAT 4.14% with an 86 basis point spread, leaving France above Italy. A recent ten-year BTP auction was placed at 4.10% with a bid-to-cover ratio of 1.62. The report attributes rising yields to expectations of further ECB tightening, deficit spending and slower growth after the completion of the PNRR programme.

QuiFinanza, 31 August 2026 — https://quifinanza.it/economia/finanza/spread-btp-bund-31-agsto-2026/1013601/

3.2Giorgetti attends G20 finance meeting in Asheville as week of Italian data opens

The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Asheville, North Carolina on 31 August and 1 September, with Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti attending alongside the ECB's Christine Lagarde and Pietro Cipollone. In Italy, the Bank of Italy published its monthly tables on bank lending and deposits by sector and territory on 31 August, and the Treasury settled BOT issuance the same day. Medium and long-term Treasury settlement follows on 1 September, and the Bank of Italy publishes its €-coin and Ita-coin indicators on 2 September. The Bank of Canada announces its rate decision and the Federal Reserve releases the Beige Book on 2 September.

Borsa Italiana / Teleborsa, 31 August 2026 — https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/notizie/teleborsa/finanza/eventi-e-scadenze-settimana-del-31-agosto-2026-39_2026-08-31_TLB-AUTO.html?lang=it

3.3August inflation expected at three-year highs in Italy and the euro area

A Bloomberg survey of 31 economists projects euro area inflation at 3.3% in August, up from 2.9% in July and the highest since September 2023. Italy's EU-harmonised rate is forecast at 3.4%, up from 2.9% in July and close to a three-year high; Germany is forecast at 3.1% against 2.8% in July. The forecasts attribute the increase to energy prices linked to tensions in the Middle East. German figures are released on Monday and the euro area and Italian data on Tuesday. The ECB could raise rates for a second time in 2026 at its 10 September meeting, which would take the rate to 2.5%.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/29/ad-agosto-linflazione-in-ue-e-in-italia-attesa-ai-massimi-da-3-anni_38cbc36d-f3a5-45b9-866b-ced3272c8d4d.html

3.4Ex Ilva: two binding offers on the table as Milan prosecutors reopen bankruptcy probe

Minister for Enterprise Adolfo Urso said two binding offers and two expressions of interest have been received for the ex Ilva plants. India's Jindal submitted an updated proposal after a Court of Appeal ruling, and Federacciai, representing fourteen Italian companies, expressed interest and may convert it into a binding offer. Separately, the Milan Prosecutor's Office reopened an inquiry into fraudulent bankruptcy concerning Lucia Morselli, former president and chief executive of Acciaierie d'Italia. At the time of the November 2024 insolvency the holding recorded liabilities of about €954 million and a capital deficit above €913 million. Investigators are examining documentation from the court-appointed commissioners and acquiring further expert opinions.

TRM Network, 29 August 2026 — https://www.trmtv.it/attualita/economia/2026_08_29/568102.html

3.5CGIA estimates €20,592 in annual taxes for a typical Italian household

The CGIA of Mestre calculates that a typical Italian family, defined as a couple of dependent employees with one child, pays €20,592 a year in taxes, of which 95.7% is not directly perceived because it is withheld at source or embedded in prices. The breakdown is €13,030 (63.3%) withheld through income tax, pension contributions and local surcharges, €6,676 (32.4%) in VAT, excise duties and broadcasting fees, and €887 (4.3%) in directly paid levies such as property and waste taxes. Italy's fiscal pressure in 2025 was 43.1% of GDP, fifth in the EU-27 and above the European average of 40.7%. France ranked first at 46.1%, followed by Denmark 45.5%, Belgium 44.2% and Austria 44.1%.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/29/cgia-per-le-famiglie-20.592-euro-di-tasse-ma-il-957-invisibili_54ba835b-4d6d-430d-9e07-02e98982ab6b.html

3.6FS and Italo expand cross-border rail plans in France, Britain and Germany

Ferrovie dello Stato, through its Trenitalia France subsidiary, is preparing to run Frecciarossa services on the Paris-London route from 2029, ending three decades in which Eurostar operated the link alone under SNCF control. FS has announced a €2 billion investment to strengthen its fleet with 19 new high-speed trains ordered from Hitachi Rail to support the expansion. Virgin Trains, controlled by Richard Branson, is also preparing to enter the cross-Channel market. Italo is preparing to enter Germany in competition with Deutsche Bahn on high-speed routes. ANSA frames the moves as following an earlier phase of consolidation in Italian airport operations.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/29/dopo-aeroporti-e-risiko-dei-binari-fs-e-virgin-sfidano-eurostar.-italo-in-germania_8c12991b-90fc-4bc8-9406-ec728f9e4894.html

3.7ISTAT: consumer and business confidence both rise in August

ISTAT reported that the consumer confidence index rose to 94.5 in August from 94.2 in July, a second consecutive monthly increase, while the composite business confidence index rose to 96.9 from 95.7. Among consumer components, the economic climate rose from 90.9 to 92.3, the current climate from 97.4 to 97.8 and the future climate from 89.8 to 90.2, while the personal climate was unchanged at 95.4. The largest single movement was in the economic climate component. The data were released on 28 August.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/28/istat-ad-agosto-sale-fiducia-consumatori-e-imprese_6c5729cb-fd7a-45f4-be53-173335fde0dc.html

3.8ISTAT: industrial turnover falls 1.0% in value in June

ISTAT reported that industrial turnover fell 1.0% in value and 0.7% in volume in June against May, in seasonally adjusted terms. The domestic market fell 1.0% in value and 0.4% in volume, and the foreign market fell 1.0% in value and 1.3% in volume. Year on year, industrial turnover rose 3.1% in value but fell 0.9% in volume. Services turnover was flat in value and down 0.4% in volume month on month, with wholesale trade up 0.5% in value and 0.9% in volume. Year on year, services turnover rose 3.2% in value and fell 0.5% in volume.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/28/istat-fatturato-industria-cala-a-giugno-dell1-in-valore-dello-07-in-volume_fbf7ecdd-3302-44f4-bf20-692eccb32fdf.html

3.9MIMIT: petrol at €2.014 and diesel at €2.131 per litre at self-service

The Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy's fuel price observatory recorded average self-service petrol at €2.014 per litre, down from €2.016 the previous day, and self-service diesel at €2.131, down from €2.134. On the motorway network, self-service petrol averaged €2.095 and diesel €2.206. The ministry described the movement as a slight decline. The figures come while the government's cut of 17 cents in diesel excise duty, extended by the Council of Ministers, runs until 5 September, after which the government has indicated it intends to move to income-based selective support.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/economia/2026/08/28/mimit-prezzi-carburanti-in-lieve-calo-benzina-self-a-2014-euro_2c8e9f40-9e08-4083-8f13-6062f3dce3d3.html

4What Politicians Are Pushing Publicly

4.1Piantedosi defends extension of border controls with Spain as "necessary"

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi presented the 15-day extension of controls on arrivals from Spain as a necessary decision, saying he hoped it would be the last extension, and stressed that the measure targets third-country nationals only. He said he had held a constructive telephone conversation with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly called the measure an unjustified affront to Spanish dignity driven by electoral calculation. The exchange keeps the Ceuta crisis at the centre of the Italy-Spain relationship, with the next expiry due in mid-September.

Euronews Italia, 31 August 2026 — https://it.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/31/litalia-conferma-il-blocco-di-schengen-con-madrid-per-altri-15-giorni-a-causa-delle-tensio

4.2La Russa publicly rules Meloni out of the presidential race and denies pressing on Ranucci

At the EtnaForum, Senate President Ignazio La Russa said Meloni "would make a splendid president of the Republic" but not on this occasion, and excluded himself from the field, saying "no one would want me" and that he would not want the post either. On the same day he denied having asked for Sigfrido Ranucci's removal from Report, saying the programme's methods, not its presenter, should have been the object of scrutiny. Both statements were made publicly at events and reported by ANSA.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/la-russa-mai-chiesto-sostituzione-ranucci-che-dio-ce-lo-conservi_cc710327-666c-4ca4-84a2-3ac42f98d541.html

4.3Meloni frames the record of longevity around stability and public accounts

As the government approached the record for the longest-serving executive of the Republic, Meloni publicly framed the term around political stability and public finances, citing the fall in the spread and the reduction of the deficit. She repeated the phrase "manca solo l'invasione delle cavallette" in reference to the succession of crises during the term. The communication push accompanies reporting that she is considering a second term and aiming to reach the end of the legislature or call elections in spring 2027.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/meloni-e-il-record-di-longevita-manca-solo-linvasione-delle-cavallette..._9c56b76f-c1be-461e-b806-f8f6ac051d1e.html

4.4Parrini, Calenda and Magi campaign against the runoff proposal

PD senator Dario Parrini said the majority is acting shamefully and wants the runoff "out of fear of losing." Azione leader Carlo Calenda said the government "keeps adding pieces to the electoral law," linking the move to Roberto Vannacci's rise. Riccardo Magi of +Europa announced street demonstrations replicating the "Night of Democracy" staged during the Chamber's approval on 15 August, and has separately called the law "antidemocratic and plebiscitary." The M5S has scheduled a rally in Milan on 19-20 September, ahead of the final Senate vote set for 15 September.

ANSA, 30 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/30/dallaula-alla-piazza-il-centrosinistra-prepara-battaglia-sulla-legge-elettorale_37d18f32-d0ab-4cc7-9597-25b4c76b0a8b.html

4.5Vannacci closes his first summer as party leader attacking the coalition

Speaking by video link to the "La Piazza" event organised by Affaritaliani.it in Ceglie Messapica, Roberto Vannacci said rivals are nervous about his party's moves and described Futuro Nazionale as a party of the "authentic, proud right" that does not negotiate its principles. He accused the governing majority of applying centre-left policies. He defended his proposal for weighted voting for large families, attributing the concept to economist Luigi Campiglio and former minister Maurizio Sacconi. His party is running Domenico Giannetta, a former Forza Italia member, for the Reggio Calabria Chamber seat against the coalition candidate. Carlo Calenda responded by calling Vannacci a self-declared fascist and a supporter of Putin.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/29/vannacci-chiude-la-prima-estate-da-leader-gli-altri-sono-nervosi_35600bb4-6e1c-4758-9f73-0cce76363f69.html

4.6Ciriani presents preference voting as "Meloni's battle"

Minister for Parliamentary Relations Luca Ciriani said publicly that preference voting will be included in the electoral law and described it as "Meloni's battle," framing it as a matter of voter choice. FdI senator Marcello Pera is publicly pushing the runoff mechanism, while the Lega has voiced the strongest reservations within the coalition and Forza Italia has not ruled it out. Giuseppe Benedetto of the Einaudi Foundation publicly warned that a runoff would eliminate the political centre. Amendments were due at the Senate Constitutional Affairs Commission on Tuesday at noon.

ANSA, 29 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/29/la-maggioranza-studia-le-modifiche-alla-legge-elettorale-rispunta-il-ballottaggio_f496eb85-0a13-4f2f-9a24-a003316a7cd6.html

4.7Schlein dismisses primaries debate and pushes energy windfall tax at Festa dell'Unità

At the Festa dell'Unità in Rivalta sul Mincio, near Mantua, PD secretary Elly Schlein said the debate on primaries is "useless and harmful," stating: "We have already wasted enough time in useless, harmful and subordinate debates." She attacked the government over energy policy and the absence of a windfall profits tax, citing petrol above €2 a litre, and said "Salvini agrees with me and Tajani says excessive profits are a dirty word." She placed climate change among the priorities of a progressive coalition and criticised the majority bonus in the electoral law. Schlein's festival circuit ends in Reggio Emilia on 13 September.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/28/il-ritorno-di-schlein-in-piazza-dibattito-sulle-primarie-inutile-e-dannoso_138d9647-5ce1-4354-ab45-6725a1709f7c.html

4.8Lega relaunches bill to halt new mosques; Salvini announces Venice visit

The Lega announced a bill to stop new Islamic places of worship in Italy until national framework legislation and state agreements are in place. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said he will travel to Venice shortly to restate the party's opposition to a mosque project in Mestre, where an association bought a disused sawmill site about three weeks earlier. Venice mayor Simone Venturini said concrete integration steps from the Bengali community would be required first. AVS group leader Lucia Zanella called the proposal "a diktat," citing constitutional protection of religious freedom. The local Bengali community, around 10,000 people, has threatened strikes affecting Fincantieri shipyards and the hospitality sector.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/28/la-lega-rilancia-lo-stop-alle-moschee-salvini-presto-a-venezia_fa49c34e-4ac2-43d9-9e07-e58d790dc94a.html

4.9Tajani rejects the poll and rules out any alliance with Vannacci

Forza Italia secretary and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani publicly dismissed the BiDiMedia poll placing Futuro Nazionale ahead of his party, saying "it's just one survey" and that he looks at actual votes and the party's growing territorial presence. He ruled out any coalition agreement with Roberto Vannacci, stating that "Vannacci represents the opposition." Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli publicly suggested possible government cooperation with the former general; Fratelli d'Italia described that as a personal position.

ANSA, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/08/28/i-sondaggi-premiano-ancora-futuro-nazionale-vannacci-sorpassa-tajani_0007ff92-62ed-4cd2-aa06-43b89bc9e5de.html

4.10Salvini publicly approves RAI's removal of Ranucci

Transport Minister and Lega leader Matteo Salvini commented "giusto così" ("right so") on RAI's decision to remove Sigfrido Ranucci from Report. Figures on the government side had previously called for his removal, arguing the programme was biased against centre-right politicians. Ranucci replied that the change mortifies the professionalism built up by the programme and said he would fight for press freedom. Opposition figures Angelo Bonelli (AVS) and Davide Faraone (Italia Viva) publicly criticised the decision in the following days.

Il Post, 28 August 2026 — https://www.ilpost.it/2026/08/28/rai-sospeso-conduttore-report-ranucci/