Italy's Debt-laden Government to Sell 'Crown Jewel' Poste Italiane
Italy's hard-right government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, plans to raise €20 billion by 2026 through the sale of stakes in Poste Italiane, Ferrovie dello Stato, and Eni, as part of efforts to tackle the country's massive public debt. This move marks a significant shift from Meloni's previous stance on keeping Poste Italiane in state hands, drawing criticism from the opposition. The government has already initiated the partial privatisation campaign by selling a quarter stake in Monte dei Paschi di Siena and is also under investigation by the European Commission for the sale of a stake in ITA Airways to Lufthansa.
