There was a quiet sense of momentum, a rare convergence of forces. Environmentalists, labor groups, and even the far-right mayor found themselves aligned. In Civitavecchia, home to the Torrevaldaliga North coal plant, the town that once carried the burden of Italy’s highest CO2 emissions simply refused to convert the facility into a gas-powered electric generator. The favored alternative, wind energy, received broad support from locals. Yet the moment of consensus proved fleeting. The energy crisis was amplified by the Ukraine war and the global scramble for electricity security. As one observer, Ricardo Petrarolo of the Non-Fossil Citizens Committee, put it, the project for wind power faded away at the stroke of a pencil, and the plant returned to full operation.
Shortly after visiting Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government, those in power began a scramble to address urgent files. Former prime minister Mario Draghi had already warned that Italy faced formidable challenges. An August speech framed the energy crisis as a top priority, underscoring the country’s heavy dependence on imported oil and gas. Economist Mario La Torre of Sapienza University in Rome echoed the assessment, noting how the crisis underscored Italy’s exposure to volatile energy markets. Draghi’s reforms, which cut Russia’s gas share from 40% to 18% in record time, failed to stop the broader price pressures felt by households and staples across the economy.
Energy, a political crossroads
The electoral campaign sharpened this theme. The surge in energy prices became a rallying point for both Giorgia Meloni’s far-right bloc and the center-left led by Enrico Letta. Analysts suggested that the basic remedies were similar—diversify supply and invest in regasification capacity. Yet nuanced differences persisted. Letta advocated continuing European Green Deal policies, while Meloni cast doubts on the approach, labeling it climate fundamentalism and proposing possible exploration of Adriatic gas fields. Croatia has already pursued offshore options, signaling a divergence from Italian protections for the marine ecosystem in that sea area.
Matteo Salvini, Mosso by alliance with Meloni, argued that any European framework should respect the principle of safeguarding at least 30 percent of territorial waters. The stance foreshadowed potential clashes with environmental groups and segments of the scientific community.
Finances under pressure
Beyond achievable goals, the situation showed Italy grappling with ongoing structural weaknesses. Draghi’s reforms addressed some issues, but the energy crisis persisted amid slow growth and rising public debt. Debt levels climbed from about 134 percent to roughly 155 percent of GDP during the period, while gross domestic product dipped around 150 percent in the 2019–2020 window and then fluctuated. Contemporary statistics from the Bank of Italy and Istat place debt in the trillions of euros, with production retreating by about 1.4 percent in the current year. A drought and extreme heat further strained agriculture. Against this backdrop, the incoming government faced the task of presenting and negotiating a briefer Brussels budget plan in the weeks ahead.
The European recovery funds allocated to Italy amount to roughly 200 billion euros, directed through loans and grants. Italy has already received the initial tranche of around 21 billion euros under the national plan and has sought the second payment. While progress has met several targets, a portion remains unmet. The independent assessment from Il Sole 24 Ore estimated that tens of targets still require completion as the year advances. In this context, the new government’s room to maneuver will be shaped by Brussels agreements focused on public administration, taxation, and justice reform sectors.
The debate also touched industrial policy and migration, two topics likely to spark tensions between Meloni and Salvini. The pandemic era contributed to shifts in saving behavior, with households increasing saving reserves in some periods. In 2021, national data show that families retained a sizable amount of savings, illustrating how precautionary measures shaped consumption and investment patterns during the crisis.
Overall, Italy faces a delicate balancing act: stabilizing energy supplies and prices, while pursuing long-term structural reforms and maintaining fiscal sustainability. The coming months will reveal how policymakers reconcile climate goals, energy resilience, and economic recovery in a country still responding to the shocks of recent years.