The far-right party met to review achievements and prepare for EU-mandated budgetary adjustments amid controversy surrounding Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
ADVERTISEMENTAlmost two years in office, the far-right Brothers of Italy party met on Wednesday for a key council to review the government’s progress and the agenda for the next few months, including the 2025 budget law.
The aim of the gathering of the main party in the three-way ruling coalition was “to assess the work done so far" and “set the agenda for the coming months," with the budget law being the main item on the table.
The procedure to approve the budget will begin soon, with a structural plan submitted by 20 September. Approval is crucial as Italy is still subject to the European Union’s “excessive deficit procedure,” which requires the country to bring its deficit-to-GDP ratio below 3% by 2026.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is also the party's leader, said the meeting was historic, telling party members, “We are making history," as they tackle Italy’s economic and political future.
"Italy has one of the lowest inflation rates among G7 countries and the employment rate is at record highs, above the European average”, said Brothers of Italy MP Lucio Malan, summarising Meloni’s words at the closed-door meeting.
“Italy is gaining more international recognition. We will continue on this path with a plan to implement policies that support businesses, families, and workers”.
Meloni's government is under pressure to comply with the EU's fiscal rules, which require deficit and debt reduction from 2025.
“The 2025 budget will be focused on tax cuts, Italian families and employment,” a Brothers of Italy member said.
Culture minister controversy lingers
The meeting also touched on other hot political topics, including the ongoing controversy surrounding Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
Sanguliano, who is a part of Meloni's Cabinet, is not affiliated with any party, but maintains close ties to Brothers of Italy.
He was accused by his former lover, Maria Rosaria Boccia, of attempting to hire her as an aide at the ministry, which would constitute an abuse of public funds. Sangiuliano has admitted to the relationship but has maintained that no public funds were spent during their relationship — claims that Boccia continues to contest publicly.
In her opening remarks, Meloni reportedly said, “mistakes are not permitted,” which many interpreted as a veiled reference to the recent scandal.
The scandal has raised questions about the government’s credibility, and while Boccia claims Meloni rejected his offer of resignation, the Italian PM stated that further investigations are ongoing.
This is also not Sangiuliano's first scandal: in July of last year, he was heavily criticised after admitting he did not read a single entry for the Strega prize — Italy's most important literary award — despite being on the jury.
Meloni, who still has high approval ratings according to recent polls, now needs to guide her government through the financial and political obstacles ahead.
ADVERTISEMENTHow Meloni’s administration handles these hurdles will be key to ensuring she completes her government’s five-year term and remains at the helm — an uncommon feat in Italian politics.