the high cost of fuelA full tank of diesel costs the same as it did in 2022. And Meloni postpones the crackdown on discountsWith the deadline approaching, the government is leaning towards a new across-the-board cut in excise duties whilst awaiting the finalisation of targeted measures: there is no political agreement yet on who will benefit or how the costs will be covered. Over the last six months, blanket subsidies for diesel and petrol have cost 2 billion and 74.5 million eurosbyMaria Carla Sicilia9 SEP 26
The videoHamas and Hezbollah flags appear at the sit-in against the Anti-Semitism Bill (organised by the PD and M5S)At the demonstration against the definition of the IHRA contained in the bill under discussion in the Chamber of Deputies, flags of terrorist organisations from Lebanon and Palestine are being waved, alongside that of Iran. Tensions arise with those present. MPs from the broad coalition make a hasty retreatbyNicolò Zambelli9 SEP 26
THE STATEMENTSRanucci, the candidate who doesn’t want to stand for election: “I’m on 7 per cent, just like Vannacci”Ranucci rules out standing for election, points to his lead in the polls and says he wants to continue with his investigations. But as for his future away from "Report", he remains vague for the time being.byRedazione9 SEP 26
Voices from TestaccioAvs supporters are praising the broad coalition and raising questions about Ranucci and Albanese as candidates. The only certainty: Renzi is outAt the Green Alliance and Left party rally, ‘the alternative’ gathers, though it remains without a programme or a leader. From the crowd, people shout: ‘Get a move on!’, in thick Roman dialect. Surprise: the Greens like Silvia SalisbyNicolò Zambelli9 SEP 26
Hibernation field“After 20 years, we can win.” Schlein, Conte, Fratoianni and Bonelli “united” on stage at Avs. The issues below the photoAt the red-green rally, opposition leaders demonstrated unity and issued a challenge to Meloni: “There is an alternative.” Policy was discussed, but the leadership issue remains. The Schlein–Conte rivalry has shifted to the centre, while Renzi divided the coalition.byRuggiero Montenegro9 SEP 26
the editor’s editorialLessons from Germany on how to rebel, in Italy, against the Alternative für PutinNeither underdog nor establishment: almost a tent. Meloni’s ‘right-wing nation’ has many reasons not to be swept away by the German election results and to put up walls against the Italian AfD without paying attention to the polls (except for one). Turning points and case studiesbyClaudio Cerasa9 SEP 26
The interviewNevi (FI): “On the issue of banks, the League is jeopardising the government’s credibility”A spokesperson for Forza Italia says: “Salvini? He’s seeking support.” Borghi? “He always says the same things. Together, they are jeopardising the government’s reputation and the Tajani approach. But their views are not shared.”byGinevra Leganza9 SEP 26
The Democratic Party heads for the pollsOrlando: “We need a new Prodi; primaries are inevitable, but first we need a platform agreed upon from the grassroots up”“You cannot expect to disarm Kyiv at such a delicate stage, but the serious question to ask is: was and is sending weapons the only way to help it? And could the EU not have acted as a deterrent in some other way?”byMarianna Rizzini9 SEP 26
The conference is fast approachingSchlein is seeking an extension, but the PD wants a steering committee to decide on the candidatesThe PD is to hold a party conference in October to extend the secretary’s term of office. In return, the party wants a steering committee to oversee candidate nominations: here, tenure comes at the cost of seats. The spectre of Gori looms largebyCarmelo Caruso9 SEP 26
The scenarioMeloni and the idea: local and general elections in September 2027The Prime Minister is considering merging the events into a single date a year from now, partly for cost reasons. However, the feasibility of the choice matters more than the possibility itself.byCarmelo Caruso9 SEP 26