Stories from Rome · Italy

Prosecutors have activated Interpol as an investigation into referees expands. The inquiry follows doubts raised by the Quirinale, which requested urgent verifications. Additional officials have been heard in Milan regarding the case. The source noted that the revocation of previous measures is a possibility.

The Italian Chamber is expected to conclude an examination of maritime regulations by April 30. The measure focuses on infrastructure within port-related zones. Article 29 of a proposed bill establishes that the Ministry of University and Research will promote national and international research initiatives to ensure sustainable management of marine resources and coastal areas. The bill allows public research entities, regional research entities, and universities to provide collaboration, consultancy, and support services upon request from competent public authorities. The legislation aims to achieve specific environmental and management objectives through these scientific contributions. The proposal includes an interministerial decree to define wage integration benefits and criteria for workers in the sector.

The Italian Council of Ministers is expected to review a labor decree this afternoon. The decree may address the retroactivity of wage increases if collective contracts are renewed after their expiration. Minister Giorgetti is scheduled to appear in the studio at 19:30 to discuss the matter. The text includes extensions for incentives targeting youth, women, and special economic zones. This follows hearings on public finance documents involving the Court of Auditors and Bank of Italy. The discussions occur as the European Commission warns that the stability pact remains binding for all member states. The decree follows hearings on public finance documents that are impacted by the Middle East energy shock. The draft proposes employment incentives for companies that pay a verified fair wage via digital platforms using ID cards.

Banca Italia expressed pessimism regarding the coming months during a parliamentary hearing. The central bank noted the government must fulfill defense commitments and prepare responses for energy-related household costs. Banca Italia advised that responses should be targeted and contained due to a complicated economic landscape. Istat provided a similar analysis regarding the economic situation. Istat provided a similar analysis, noting consequences related to the super bonus. Minister Giorgetti is scheduled to appear for hearings at 19:30.

A Phase 1 clinical study has reported success in treating patients with near-total blindness. Patients were able to begin reading letters on an optotype chart. The study results were also featured in a Guardian profile of Jean Bennett, Catherine Eyre, and Albert McGuire. The research focused on patients who previously could not see anything. One early patient reported being able to see their child's face and delicate veins for the first time. The therapy has been in use since the publication of its first experimental results in 2008. The source noted the treatment's effectiveness has been widely reported. Patients have shown improvement in their ability to see objects from a distance following gene therapy treatment. The Loxturna gene therapy has won the Breakthrough Prize for treating Weber congenital amaurosis.

The ruling is described as a victory for those impacted by the environmental damage.

Exceptions related to the Superbonus program left operational after the Meloni government's closure have produced an effect of exactly 5 billion euros on the 2025 budget. These effects were not previously predicted by the ministry. The data was provided by a former colleague. This figure was not previously forecasted by the ministry, according to a report from the Gimbe agency. This mechanism will shift the responsibility of guaranteeing services onto regional authorities. The agency noted a potential 30 billion euro resource gap over three years required to maintain current service levels.

Italian municipal spending reached approximately 8 billion euros in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 12.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Municipalities contributed roughly 4.8 billion euros to investments. Health-related payments accounted for 1.2 billion euros of the total expenditure. Italy's inflation rate increased slightly to 1.6 percent from 1.5 percent in February. The increase was partially attributed to fuel containment measures. Projections suggest inflation is destined to rise further, with recent estimates averaging 2 percent. This follows commercial tensions and geopolitical uncertainty affecting consumer confidence and spending. A decline in household confidence may lead to reduced consumer spending. Analysts expect inflation to rise further, potentially weakening consumer spending due to lower household confidence.

Real contractual wages in Italy fell by 7.8 percent between the first quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2025. The data was released by Istat. The report also noted upcoming council meetings regarding the 'Piano Case' and the expiration of fuel tax cuts. ISTAT data shows real wages in Italy have declined by 7.8 percent in terms of purchasing power. While overall employment figures have increased, youth employment has seen a decline between 2023 and 2026. Conversely, employment for individuals over the age of 50 has increased. Real wage values in Italy have decreased by 8 percent since 2019, according to a report on RAI Radio 3. While nominal euro amounts may have increased, the actual purchasing power of Italian salaries has fallen. The report noted that this decline occurred despite an increase in the number of employed persons.

The Italian government's estimates project a reduction in the deficit-to-GDP ratio. Interest expenditure is expected to remain stable at 3.9% of GDP. Revenue growth was primarily driven by social security contributions, which rose by just over 1 percent of GDP from 3.4 percent in 2024. Following 2026, the debt ratio is expected to reduce to below the 3% threshold. The data indicates a continuing process of public finance consolidation. This stability is attributed to the consolidation process and improved sovereign creditworthiness. The interest-to-GDP ratio is currently 4.1% and is expected to trend toward 4.5% in the coming year. Specifically, contributions to investments are decreasing as the forecast horizon for PNR investment contributions expires. Cash effects related to the accounting of tax credits and incentives will continue to weigh on the debt profile through 2026 and 2027.