All posts tagged: Italian politics

4 Italian airports face jet fuel restrictions – POLITICO

4 Italian airports face jet fuel restrictions – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Four Italian airports are being warned that they may face jet fuel restrictions amid limited supplies from a key provider. An aviation notice issued Saturday said that “due to limited fuel availability from Air BP Italia, refueling services for operators contractually linked to Air BP Italia may be subject to restrictions.” The affected airports are Bologna, Milan Linate, Treviso and Venice. Italian news agency ANSA reported that Air BP Italia — a subsidiary of British oil giant BP — told airlines that priority would be given to ambulance and state flights, as well as flights lasting more than three hours. Other flights may face restrictions until at least April 9. Source link

Italy’s opposition sees its chance to beat Meloni. But it needs a leader, and a plan. – POLITICO

Italy’s opposition sees its chance to beat Meloni. But it needs a leader, and a plan. – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Impromptu alliances Campaigning against Meloni’s judicial reforms was an easy rallying point for the opposition, as they could all pile on the prime minister for attacking independent state institutions. In Rome’s Piazza Barberini on Monday night, opposition leaders and activists from several centrist and leftist parties gathered to celebrate a result few had considered likely just weeks earlier. Supporters waved party flags and chanted as leaders from across the political spectrum shared a stage in a rare display of unity. But the fraternity shown on the piazza masked deeper divisions: The coalition that came together to defeat Meloni in the referendum remains far from agreeing on a common national program, or a shared candidate for prime minister. The on-again-off-again grouping often diverges sharply on issues such as military spending and support for Ukraine, as well as economic policy, with a significant gap between the radical populist left and the more centrist Democratic Party.   Schlein argued on Wednesday that the opposition must focus on concrete proposals. “We can’t just be against the government, we have to …

Meloni cleans house after referendum loss – POLITICO

Meloni cleans house after referendum loss – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Delmastro Delle Vedove had also received a criminal conviction earlier in the legislature after leaking official secrets. Justice Ministry chief of staff and former MP Giusi Bartolozzi is facing criminal charges over an alleged cover-up involving a Libyan warlord who was arrested last year on an International Criminal Court warrant and then flown out of Rome. During the campaign she called prosecutors “an execution squad,” reinforcing accusations that the government viewed investigations as political interference. Bartolozzi didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Meloni also signaled she had lost confidence in Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè, who has been ordered to stand trial over alleged fraud linked to Covid-19 aid, and said in a statement that she “hoped” Santanchè would choose to resign. Santanchè didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, who authored the reform, took responsibility for the defeat but said on Tuesday he would not step down and instead would “return to his study and hobbies” after national elections expected next year. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein told …

More Russian snooping allegations

More Russian snooping allegations

Published by Sam Flores

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music After Hungary was accused of leaking sensitive EU discussions to the Kremlin, the spotlight is now shifting to Germany. Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by Ian Wishart to unpack mounting concerns in Brussels over the far-right AfD’s access to confidential EU documents — and whether Europe’s open systems are creating new vulnerabilities. The duo also discuss Denmark’s election, where Mette Frederiksen is fighting for another term in a tight race, and break down a razor-thin result in Slovenia — plus what Giorgia Meloni’s referendum defeat means for her authority at home. And finally — Europe’s quirkiest contest returns. The “Eurovision of trees” is about to crown its winner, and we want your pick. Which tree do you like the most? Which one gets your vote? Send us your choice on our WhatsApp: +32 491 05 06 29. Source link

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni loses referendum – POLITICO

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni loses referendum – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

A loss in the referendum will probably weaken the right-wing prime minister’s hand politically, most critically ahead of a general election expected before the end of next year. Italy’s right has long wanted to shake up a judicial system that it claims is politicized and biased toward the left — an assertion disputed by the opposition and many legal experts — vowing the reforms proposed in the referendum would make the system more accountable. Opponents of Meloni’s reforms warned an overhaul risked weakening judicial independence and portrayed the referendum as an attempt to bring fiercely autonomous legal officials under government control. Voters were asked to approve changes to how judges and prosecutors are governed and disciplined, including separating their career paths and reshaping oversight bodies. The tension over the judiciary reflect long-running tension in Italian politics. The Mani Pulite (Clean Hands) investigations of the early 1990s exposed a vast network of corruption that wiped out an entire political class, leaving magistrates with heightened authority and politicians deeply mistrustful of the judiciary. The shadow of former …

Italy’s justice referendum becomes key test for PM Meloni’s leadership

Italy’s justice referendum becomes key test for PM Meloni’s leadership

Published by Sam Flores

Italy’s hardline conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, faces a pivotal political test in a two-day referendum on judicial reform that started on Sunday, a vote that has transformed into a broader judgment on her leadership at home and abroad. Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the centre‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni’s strength one year ahead of national elections. Recent polls show the race remains too close to call, with the “No” camp gaining late momentum in a polarised climate where turnout may prove decisive. After five hours of voting on the first day, according to Italy’s interior ministry, turnout reached almost 15 percent of eligible voters. That is the highest turnout for any two-day referendum in the past 23 years. Lorenzo Pregliasco, political analyst and polling expert at YouTrend, said a rejection of the reform would carry significant political weight. “A possible ‘No’ victory would send a political signal, weakening Meloni’s aura of invincibility, while pushing the centre-left …

Strong early turnout in Italy referendum with high stakes for Meloni – POLITICO

Strong early turnout in Italy referendum with high stakes for Meloni – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Regional data shows northern and central regions leading participation, with Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy recording the highest turnout so far. Southern regions including Calabria, Basilicata and Sicily are trailing in turnout. At the heart of the vote is a deeply contested reform of the Italian judiciary. The most controversial element is a proposal to overhaul how members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) — the body that governs judges’ careers — are selected. Instead of being elected, most members would be chosen by lottery under the proposal. Supporters of the reform argue the change would break the influence of internal factions within the judiciary and reduce politicization. Critics say it risks undermining merit and representation, potentially allowing underqualified and political candidates to oversee key decisions on appointments and discipline. Two further turnout updates are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday, with final results expected after polls close on Monday at 3 p.m. The referendum does not require a minimum turnout, meaning the reform will be approved or rejected based …

Trump’s strikes on Iran give Meloni a headache before Italy’s crunch referendum – POLITICO

Trump’s strikes on Iran give Meloni a headache before Italy’s crunch referendum – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

That hostility toward the U.S. president, as well as fears over the impact of the war on household bills, means Meloni is now treading a tightrope, avoiding criticizing her powerful ally in the White House while reassuring voters that Rome will not be dragged into the war. In a political compromise, Meloni on Thursday pledged air-defense support to Gulf states hit by retaliatory fire from Iran, and her defense minister said Italy would send “naval assets” to protect Cyprus. She is simultaneously insisting, however, that Italy will not give direct support to the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran, and notes that U.S. bases in Italy are authorized only to offer logistical support, not to conduct offensive operations. “We’re not at war; we don’t want to go to war,” she told RTL radio on Thursday. This balancing act over Iran could hardly come at a worse time for Meloni. Polls now suggest the referendum is too close to call, and that much will depend on the turnout. Should she lose, it would be a major set-back for …

Italian opposition accuses Meloni of manipulating elections with new law – POLITICO

Italian opposition accuses Meloni of manipulating elections with new law – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The opposition was caught off-guard when Meloni’s party, the right-wing Brothers of Italy, alongside her coalition partners the center-right Forza Italia and far-right League, negotiated a deal on the law late on Wednesday, bypassing dialogue with the opposition. The deal comes at a turbulent time for Italy’s political landscape, where the left is attempting to build a coalition and the right is coming under pressure from a new hard-right breakaway party, Futuro Nazionale, that formed after a schism in the League. Pollsters and analysts have speculated about possible new elections after a constitutional referendum in March, with the economy expected to take a turn for the worse in 2026 as the stimulus effect from the EU’s post-pandemic Recovery Fund fades. Analysis by polling agency You Trend released Friday predicted that the right-wing coalition would obtain 46 per cent of the vote under the current system, which would secure it 57 per cent of seats if this new bill is passed. Riccardo Magi of the centrist +Europa party called the bill manipulative and “incoherent” and said …