Italy's Adolfo Urso outlines industrial and energy autonomy strategies

Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, has outlined several strategic priorities for the nation's industrial and economic stability. Regarding fuel costs, the government is studying selective measures to assist low-income citizens and commuters, following previous tax credit interventions for the transport sector.

In the automotive sector, Urso noted an 11% increase in vehicle registrations during the first half of 2026, with production growing by 13.4%. He emphasized the goal of producing one million vehicles in Italy by 2030, citing Stellantis as being on the right track. He called for European rules to adopt principles of technological neutrality and ‘Made in Europe’ to protect domestic industry from international competition, including from Chinese manufacturers.

On the energy front, Urso advocated for a unified European energy market and a revision of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which he described as penalizing Italian competitiveness. He also highlighted the importance of energy autonomy, mentioning the candidacy of Marghera as a strategic hub for critical raw materials and the potential for civil nuclear energy through small reactors.

Separately, Confesercenti reported a significant impact from rising energy costs on the commerce and tourism sectors. Between June and August 2026, businesses faced an estimated 870 million euro increase in energy expenses compared to the previous year, with electricity and gas costs rising sharply due to high temperatures and wholesale price spikes.