Italy government suspends planned national truck drivers halt

The Italian government reached an agreement with transport unions to cancel the national stoppage of roughly 740,000 heavy‑goods vehicles that had been scheduled for 25‑29 May. The decision follows intense negotiations in which the executive offered a package of measures to ease the sector’s operating costs, including a tax credit of about €300 million for trucking firms, accelerated reimbursement of fuel taxes, and the option to spread tax payments over time. These measures are to be incorporated into a decree‑law pending approval by the Council of Ministers, and a permanent dialogue table at the Ministry of Infrastructure will monitor implementation.

The dispute arose amid a sharp rise in diesel prices after the Gulf war, with the price per litre climbing from €1.676 to €1.986 – an 18.5 % increase that has cost the industry an estimated €2.1 billion, especially impacting Lombardy, Campania and Sicily. The combined effect of higher fuel costs and delayed payments for transport services had threatened cash‑flow stability for many operators. Had the halt proceeded, the country risked severe supply chain disruptions, empty supermarket shelves and a shortage of fuel at service stations. The negotiated settlement therefore averted a major economic shock.

Union leaders praised the outcome, noting that the sector’s “compactness” and institutional dialogue prevented the mobilisation while still securing immediate relief for firms facing high operating costs and thin margins.