Italy's centre-right outlines next budget plan focusing on pension reform and energy flexibility

The governing centre‑right coalition in Italy – led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, with Vice‑Premiers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini – opened discussions on the next financial maneuver. The agenda includes a request to the European Union for greater flexibility on energy‑related spending incurred since the February 28 U.S.–Iran conflict, and a proposal by the Lega to lower the retirement age to 64. Party priorities also feature Forza Italia’s push for a flat tax for VAT‑registered businesses, a health‑care cashback scheme and the abolition of the car tax, while Brothers of Italy seeks to cut the middle‑class tax rate to 33 %. The budget programming document is slated for submission to Brussels by 15 October, and the parliamentary budget office has raised the 2026 GDP forecast to +0.9 %. Officials anticipate a fiscal space of 30‑40 billion euros for the upcoming electoral‑focused finance bill.