These newsletters and columns aim to provide authentic and fact-based perspectives on Italy. Join the conversation.

The Italian Prime Minister’s political journey is of particular interest not only for Italians but for international observers willing to understand a possible post-populism route. This entails transforming Fratelli d’Italia, her right of center political party, into a modern conservative political party. The heretofore antagonism and resentment towards the establishment will surely give way to a liberal-style politics of reformism. This journey matters to Italy and Europe if both wish to become protagonists of world affairs. At the helm of one of the most financially troubled democracies in Europe, she has realised that solutions are complex, international prejudices are rooted in the incorrect behaviours of past governments – Mr. Draghi’s stint is the exception that proves the rule – that European partners require stability, predictability and, most importantly, the capability to deliver structural reforms. As tensions mount on the allocation of the scarce 2023 financial resources, there are two “dossiers” that represent the litmus test for the liberal style politics of the Italian Prime Minister. The reform of the judicial system is of utmost relevance. The current

Minister of Justice, a former magistrate, has a liberal reform ambition that guarantees the rights to a just and, crucially, timely ruling. Balancing the power of the judges has challenged Italy’s primacy of politics for thirty years. An efficient justice system, furthermore, will be a driver to attract foreign direct investments. The second relevant chapter is the construction of a bridge connecting Sicily to the continent. It is not only a bridge. It is an enterprise of strategic and geopolitical value that will put Italy and Europe on the map. It is as relevant as the strait of Taiwan. With Turkey and Russia playing a larger role in the former Libya, China’s ambitions to become the king maker in Africa and battling for world leadership against the United States, the control of this strand of sea at the center of the Mediterranean basin is where Europe and Italy will play their world relevance. Sicily, in fact, is where the US has deployed strategic assets such as the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a tactical military satellite communications system with push-to- talk, cell phone-like capabilities for deployed warfighters and the two other military basis in Sigonella and on the island of Pantelleria facing Libya. The policy agenda Ms. Meloni follows in the next few months will demonstrate if she has a clear vision and strategy for Italy and Europe.

Fernando Napolitano

CEO NEWEST

You can now find a section dedicated to Italy's recipes and restaurants on our website, are you hungry?

We know you always want to look ahead, so here is a preview of our new VOB interview coming out next week

Senior Managing Director & Country Head of Hines Italy, Mario Abbadessa has been responsible for all Hines’ activities in Italy since 2016. Under his leadership, Hines Italy has completed high value real estate investments of over €4bn in Milan, Florence and Bologna, focusing on a long-term vision and creating an extensive portfolio of acquisition, urban regeneration and asset management projects across living, office, high-street retail and logistics sectors. Formerly, he served as fund manager and investment analyst at Hines Italia SGR and as investment analyst at Generali Immobiliare Italia SGR.

See you next week!

Fernando Napolitano,
Founder and CEO Newest Media