Speaking before the Chamber of Deputies ahead of the European Council summit, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy will reach defence spending equivalent to 2.8% of GDP, exceeding the 2026 NATO targets by including domestic security expenditure.
The investment, she argued, is essential because "without security, energy costs more."
On foreign policy, Meloni strongly condemned the actions of Israeli settlers and urged the European Union to prepare additional sanctions against Iran unless Tehran changes course. She also expressed support for Lebanon's stability, provided that Hezbollah disarms and Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Italy's commitment to Ukraine, backing the EU's twentieth package of sanctions against Russia.
Domestically, Meloni unveiled a €14 billion plan to shield households and businesses from the impact of the Middle East energy crisis. The funding will be made possible through the activation of the National Escape Clause, allowing additional public investment over the next three years.
She also defended the government's energy strategy, based on a combination of renewable energy sources and planned nuclear legislation.
Concluding her address, Meloni took a firm stance on immigration, declaring: "The days when Italy accepted illegal migrants in exchange for fiscal flexibility are over. Arrivals are falling, and our standing in Europe is growing."