Italian Deputy Minister Morelli Calls Strait of Messina Bridge an Investment, Not a Cost

Alessandro Morelli, deputy minister to the Presidency of the Council with the CIPESS portfolio, said the proposed bridge across the Strait of Messina is an investment that will boost the south of Italy. He noted that the Ministry of Infrastructure is simultaneously planning over €40 billion in high‑speed rail and other projects for Calabria and Sicily, and expects a definitive CIPESS decree by the coming autumn to start construction.

Morelli also linked the bridge to broader political goals, mentioning the Lega’s preparations for the 2027 elections, internal party primaries, and his support for Matteo Salvini. He highlighted the current Italian economy, noting historically high employment levels, lingering inflation, and external factors such as the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which affect fertilizer supplies. Morelli emphasized Italy’s status as a net contributor to the EU and the return of European funds to the national budget.