“We are in agreement with our allies 90 per cent of the time. On the issues of support for Ukraine and defence spending, there are differing views, but I am optimistic,” says the Democratic senator

The mayoral candidate for Milan, the ‘Italian Mamdani’, speaks out: “Security is one of the city’s problems and it is getting worse as inequalities worsen. We need educators – both men and women – in troubled neighbourhoods who are paid properly, drawing on revenue from the tax on the wealthy as well.” And on the No Tav protests: “No comment.”

The former Minister for Economic Development told Il Foglio: “Elly Schlein and Ukraine? We have a very clear view: Einstein said that stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again whilst hoping for a different result. Renzi doesn’t win votes, and if you call him ‘unreliable’, you’re giving him power. Delmastro? Either they have something to hide, or they want to attack the judiciary.”

The leader of Italia Viva and the general have been trading barbs and jibes on social media for days. A rivalry played out with gloved fists, between sprints and strokes in the water. But they’re lucky that Beppe Grillo isn’t competing against them. The Under-Secretary for Relations with Parliament, swimmer and president of the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), Barelli, told "Il Foglio": “My federation will provide lifeguards free of charge, because I really do fear there will be a need for them.”

The Carroccio has announced that it is considering the jeweller’s candidacy “provided the legal requirements are met”. But the requirements are not met, because a conviction for multiple murders results in the forfeiture of political rights. The general is aware of this and says: “We will support him in every way possible, but I do not believe that standing as a candidate for the Fn is one of them”. Meanwhile, the jeweller says: “If Mattarella pardons Minetti, I will too.”

The leader of Italia Viva is meeting with his party members at Villa Borghese. “Meloni has lost the trust of the public with the referendum and that of the political establishment with her voting preferences.” And he responds to the attacks from the Five Star Movement: “Me, unreliable? On what grounds are they speaking? If anyone wants to talk about the past, we’re ready. It wasn’t us who sent Salvini to the Ministry of the Interior.”

In the first year of the new US tariffs, Italian exports grew by 3.3 per cent, outperforming Germany and France. The Foreign Trade Agency’s report highlights exports driven by the pharmaceutical sector and purchases made in advance of the tariffs coming into force. Tajani: "700 billion in exports is an achievable target"

The former Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies says: “It is right to ask people to vote for candidates, especially for a government that wanted to introduce the office of Prime Minister. But you can’t tell the turkeys to bring Christmas forward. The opposition parties have played dirty.”