Italy’s budget session is formally opening in Parliament, with the budget bill expected to reach the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, November 3. The measure was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 28 and arrived in Parliament on Friday evening.
Parliament has until December 31 to approve the bill. Failure to meet that deadline would trigger provisional budgetary management. The legislation provides €120 million for parliamentary amendments in 2027 and a further €120 million in 2028.
The opening of the examination is expected to include a statement from the president of the Chamber on any provisions considered unrelated to the bill, based on the opinion of the Budget Committee. The process is starting later than the non-binding October 20 target for submitting the budget to Parliament, increasing pressure on lawmakers to move quickly.
The first stage will be a series of hearings involving institutions, organizations and social partners. The committee’s bureau has yet to finalize the schedule, but the hearings are tentatively expected to take place from Monday, November 9, to Thursday, November 12. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is expected to conclude the hearings.
Three rapporteurs are expected to oversee the bill: Angelo Rossi of Brothers of Italy, Silvana Comaroli of the League and Mauro D’Attis of Forza Italia. Comaroli and D’Attis previously served as budget rapporteurs in 2024, while Rossi, the Rome-based treasurer of Brothers of Italy, would be taking on the role for the first time after serving as rapporteur for electoral legislation.
Political parties are expected to compete over the allocation of the amendment funds ahead of the elections. Brothers of Italy and the League remain divided over resources for the pension fund, while Forza Italia is seeking to introduce dedicated pension provisions for law enforcement personnel. League leader Matteo Salvini has also not ruled out new contributions for banks.
The deadline for amendments is tentatively set for November 17. Thousands of proposals are expected, following approximately 5,500 amendments last year and around 4,500 the year before.
Because of the limited timetable, the bill’s substantive examination will likely be concentrated in one chamber, as in previous years. The Chamber of Deputies is expected to conduct the first reading, leaving the Senate with the practical task of ratifying the text near the end of the year.
Sources: ANSA Economia.