He pronounces the taboo word almost at dinner time: “recession”, which “will arrive” if the energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran does not abate. Giancarlo Giorgetti explains the nightmare of all governments, which is very present in Giorgia Meloni’s thoughts. It is no coincidence that the Prime Minister and Minister of Economy have raised the alarm in Brussels a few days ago, asking for a “suspension of the Stability Pact”.
Which would give margins, especially to countries with little fiscal space like Italy, to implement emergency measures to protect businesses and especially families from waves of price increases. The matter is a hot one, also because Rome must also find the strategy to maintain the commitments made with NATO, increasing defense spending. A complicated issue for public opinion to digest, that of weapons, and on which the League has already begun to express its doubts. So much so that Francesco Filini, who took over from Giovanbattista Fazzolari at the helm of the Fratelli d’Italia research office, in an interview with Il Foglio points out that «without a suspension of the Stability Pact, NATO military spending cannot be increased. Without it”, he goes so far as to say, “the very existence of Europe is called into question”. The government had already begun to address the issue in recent weeks. Giorgetti himself had made a “report” to his colleagues and the Prime Minister in an ad hoc meeting to begin designing the new Public Finance Document, which is being prepared with the other unknown of Italy’s exit, or otherwise, from the infringement procedure for excessive deficit. Eurostat will say the last word on 22 April and only after, in all likelihood, will the government approve the document which will have to pass the examination of the Chambers as with the old Def.
The many thorny dossiers on Meloni’s table and the possible reshuffle
With GDP slowing down, the Pnrr coming to an end, and increases in prices which despite efforts cannot be stopped, there are many thorny dossiers that Meloni finds on the table. So much so that in the meantime the prime minister would like to at least complete the reorganization of the government team this week, with the appointment of new undersecretaries, and then concentrate on the things to do. The prime minister, says those who spoke to her, is observing what is happening in particular at the home of the Azzurri and would be willing to “give up” one of the FdI positions to her ally. After the heated confrontation between Antonio Tajani and Marina and Piersilvio Berlusconi, among the Azzurri there are those who expect the announcement of the postponement of the national congress in a few days. It would be one of the aspects on which the deputy prime minister would have been convinced at the Cologno summit where, according to reports from various fronts, the compromise agreement on the name of Enrico Costa would have been reached, on which the deputies are now working to converge. The relay with Paolo Barelli could take place between Tuesday and Wednesday, but formally there is a group call, which is up to Barelli himself to do. The knot of his future still would not be resolved. One of the rumors was Mimit but the League has no intention of giving up to its ally the space that was occupied by Massimo Bitonci, who left to become councilor in Veneto in Alberto Stefani’s council. In fact, for months the Northern League supporters have been ready to name another Venetian, Senator Mara Bizzotto, in her place. In via Arenula, Andrea Delmastro’s delegations have been divided between the deputy minister Francesco Paolo Sisto and the undersecretary Andrea Ostellari and there are those who are convinced that the situation could remain like this. But within Fratelli d’Italia the most popular option remains that of replacing Delmastro. An undersecretary could also arrive at Culture. Press rumors speak of an upgrade for the current head of the Mic secretariat, Emanuele Merlino, who however may not succeed. Better a “politician”, the reasoning goes, perhaps from the South, with a geographical rebalancing of the team. In the background, the Consob issue remains open (the chances of MEF undersecretary Federico Freni are said to be over) which however, according to some in the majority, could find a solution in May when the Antitrust will also have to be renewed.