Italy faces electoral reform debate and rising budget pressures

Italian lawmakers are preparing for key legislative debates on electoral reform, with Senate hearings set ahead of a decisive vote expected in the Chamber of Deputies this autumn.

The political maneuvering coincides with growing economic pressures on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration. The government is finalizing a fuel decree to reduce excise duties on diesel and gasoline alongside targeted social card support, a move seen by observers as a prelude to autumn budget negotiations.

Meanwhile, the executive remains focused on mitigating the crisis at the ex-Ilva steel plant in Taranto. Following a ruling by the Milan Court of Appeal ordering a halt to hot-area operations within 90 days unless asbestos is eliminated, the government allocated 100 million euros to address environmental and operational risks.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Stampa.