Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has raised suspicions about the establishment, saying it works against Italy in order to strike at her government, according to Corriere della Sera. The remarks came amid scrutiny over Italy's excessive deficit position.
Corriere della Sera also published a piece arguing that blame for the deficit should not be placed on Istat, Italy's national statistics institute. The outlet's coverage indicates the deficit issue has become entangled with political accusations rather than remaining a purely technical matter.
Separately, Yahoo Finanza reported that Italy aims to keep its 2026 deficit below the European Union's 3% threshold. That target reflects the fiscal constraint Rome is working within as it negotiates with Brussels.
The broader budget picture is complicated. La Repubblica reported that the drafting of Italy's budget maneuver has grown more difficult, with measures ranging from a flat tax to bonuses under discussion, alongside negotiations with the EU. The talks with European authorities appear central to how the final package takes shape.
Meloni also commented on President Sergio Mattarella, noting that as a minister he had supported a cap on foreign students in classrooms, Il Sole 24 ORE reported. The remark was tied to the wider political debate rather than the deficit file itself.
What to watch next is whether Rome's negotiations with the EU produce a budget that holds the 2026 deficit under the 3% limit, and whether the political dispute over the deficit figures continues to escalate.
