Italian center-left voters split on foreign policy and defense

Voters and political leaders within Italy’s center-left “Campo Largo” coalition exhibit significant divisions regarding international policy, defense, and energy. While the Democratic Party (PD) and the Five Star Movement (M5S) share views on welfare and wealth taxation, they diverge sharply on foreign affairs. An Ipsos Doxa poll indicates that 44% of PD voters support continued military aid to Ukraine and an Atlanticist stance, compared to only 14% of M5S voters. Conversely, 51% of M5S voters advocate for ending military support in favor of diplomatic negotiations.

Energy policy also reveals a split, with 43% of PD voters open to discussing new-generation nuclear energy, while only 26% of M5S voters hold this view.

On a broader national level, there is a growing tension between public opinion and government spending. While Italy’s military budget exceeded 33.9 billion euros in 2026 to meet NATO targets, public sentiment remains skeptical. Approximately 58% of Italians oppose increases in military spending, preferring that public resources be redirected toward healthcare, education, and transportation.