Latest news in Italy? September 12th, 2026

Economy & Growth Forecast Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy’s economy is on track to grow by 1% this year, matching or slightly outpacing the broader eurozone average. While citing steady first-half figures, she emphasized ongoing efforts to address longer-term productivity constraints and elevated energy costs.EU Budget Flexibility Request The government formally approached the European Commission to trigger the national flexibility clause. The move aims to grant Rome greater budgetary latitude to fund strategic capital expenditures, particularly in energy security and national defense.Joint European Industrial Safeguards Italy, partnering with France and backed by Germany, is preparing a joint push for European Union safeguard measures on chemicals and plastics. The initiative seeks broader trade defenses against sudden surges in low-cost imports that threaten domestic manufacturers.Severe Storm Recovery in Northern Regions Emergency teams and local authorities continue recovery and clearing efforts across northern Italyparticularly in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Lombardyfollowing days of violent late-summer thunderstorms, localized flash flooding, and landslides that disrupted rail corridors and caused two fatalities.Public Transport Strike Warnings Commuters and travelers face intermittent disruptions as a wave of regional transport strikes takes effect across multiple transit networks, ahead of a wider 24-hour nationwide public transit walkout planned for late September.