Premier Giorgia Meloni has scheduled talks with Italy’s business and union leaders at Palazzo Chigi to discuss the 2025 budget.
On Monday, she summoned leaders of Italy’s business groups for discussions set for Wednesday, November 13, at 16:00. She has also called in trade unions for a meeting at 15:30 on Monday, November 4. Unions CGIL, CISL, and UIL are expected to answer the call.
CGIL leader Maurizio Landini, whose federation is Italy’s largest and most left-leaning, has already threatened a general strike over the government’s proposed 2025 budget measures.
After introducing the budget, Meloni addressed Turin’s industrialists, saying, “The strategy of the budget law is very clear… the time when Italy was content to chase after others… is over.” She expressed confidence in Italy’s ability to achieve new records, adding, “The government will do its part to achieve it, and I am sure that you will not be any less.”
Automotive Industry Funding Cuts
Meloni’s 2025 budget plans include a €4.6 billion cut to the automotive sector between 2025 and 2030, sparking significant criticism. This decision follows a global drop in electric vehicle (EV) sales, partly driven by inconsistent green policies. It prompted automakers like Fiat-maker Stellantis to revise their plans.
The business lobby group ANFIA criticised the cuts as “an unacceptable surprise that blatantly contradicts the important work that the government is doing in Europe in favour of the sector to improve regulation.” The funds, initially set at €8.7 billion under former PM Mario Draghi, are now largely diverted to other initiatives. Most cuts are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, amounting to approximately €2.4 billion.
The opposition Democratic Party (PD) reacted by calling for Industry Minister Adolfo Urso’s resignation. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares also noted Italy’s automotive funding lags behind that of other major EU countries.
