Meloni faces parliamentary criticism ahead of EU Council amid bridge probe

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to address the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to present Italy’s position ahead of the upcoming European Council. The opposition Democratic Party (PD) has filed a counter‑resolution, accusing the government of being "absent when decisions are made and silent when it should speak" and warning that Italy is becoming marginalised in Brussels.

The debate is also clouded by an ongoing corruption investigation into the Strait of Messina bridge project, where three suspects are alleged to have tried to influence the Court of Auditors to benefit the construction company. Both Meloni and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini have remained silent on the matter, while junior minister Alfredo Mantovano downplayed it, saying it was not discussed in the recent cabinet meeting. Democratic leader Elly Schlein criticised the €13 billion project as harmful and unsustainable.

The parliamentary session will conclude with votes on the resolutions, reflecting heightened political tension as Italy prepares for the EU meeting.