In a wide-ranging address delivered at the Quirinale Palace for the traditional Cerimonia del Ventaglio with the parliamentary press, Italian President Sergio Mattarella reflected on topics extending from the global geopolitical landscape to internal institutional dynamics, legality, information, and democracy. Opening his speech, the Head of State emphasized the impartial nature of his role, positioned "outside daily party politics," and called for urgent reforms to safeguard and modernize the international multilateral system to adapt it to today's world rather than that of the 1950s. Facing growing global uncertainties, Mattarella highlighted the expectations placed on Europe, defined as the broadest area of peace and shared development: a model of relations based on free trade agreements and cooperation, standing as an alternative to commercial and military conflict. Addressing EU dynamics, the President judged the decision to abandon plans for a new European Convention to reform EU treaties a "serious mistake." Recalling how pillars such as the Euro and Schengen emerged from enhanced cooperation, he urged greater dynamism and voiced support for a common defense initiative, stating: "Building an effective common European defense poses no threat to anyone, does not aim for war: on the contrary, it is an instrument to guarantee peace."

Turning to domestic politics, Mattarella called for a dialogue among political forces grounded in mutual respect and free from "unhelpful verbal aggression." While reiterating his super-partes role—which prevents him from intervening in parliamentary dynamics or ongoing legislative projects—he expressed deep concern over declining voter turnout, identifying it as the top priority: "The growing phenomenon of non-participation in elections should be the primary focus for all political parties, above any other aspect." On the issue of migration flows, echoing the words of Pope Francis, the Head of State underscored the inescapable need to move past an "unproductive emergency mindset" in favor of a sustainable governance strategy. Mattarella also urged a shift in focus, noting that "it is appropriate to pay attention not only to those arriving in our country, but also to those leaving: our many young people who move abroad not by choice, but out of necessity." On civil coexistence, the Head of State reminded that in an ordered society, individual behavior must comply with the law rather than expecting laws to adapt to personal actions, which would mean "the abdication of the State." Mattarella then issued a stern warning against intolerance and political violence, pointing directly to recent clashes surrounding the No TAV construction sites: "What happened on Saturday in Val di Susa is unacceptable: the very foundations of democratic coexistence are at stake, and there can be no hesitation or ambiguity in condemning and countering such aggressive behavior. Violence is a lethal virus for democracy."

In the final part of his address, the President of the Republic focused on media and publishing. He urged the full implementation of the European Media Freedom Act and called for an end to the paralysis of public broadcaster RAI caused by the deadlock in the parliamentary oversight commission. Lastly, he delivered a sharp critique of artificial intelligence applied to news production and reaffirmed the irreplaceable value of professional journalism: "Clones of news, artificially produced by machines and designed to replicate endlessly on the web without any verification: can anyone believe this enriches our cultural and information landscape? Does information even exist without journalists? News is not a clone of itself, it is not the caricature of Dolly the sheep."