The justice reform was part of the government programme with which the centre-right won the general election. It was approved by both the government and parliament, but ultimately not confirmed by the popular vote. We did what we promised. Now we intend to move forward, completing all the points of the programme and ensuring continuity and depth to what has been achieved in three and a half years of the Meloni government.
This is the central message delivered by Francesco Filini, MP and Head of Programme at Brothers of Italy, in a wide-ranging reflection shared with Decode39.
Why it matters: Starting from the referendum outcome, the discussion inevitably broadens to the pragmatic approach that, according to Filini, has enabled concrete results across multiple sectors, both domestically and internationally.
- “There is no crisis underway,” he says. “The left, whenever it has tried to put forward even partial proposals, has split—something clearly demonstrated in foreign policy votes. Today, it represents no alternative to the Meloni government.”
Q: The referendum result risks overshadowing the government’s work. Yet yesterday, for instance, ITA Airways announced it had turned a profit for the first time. That was far from a given, wasn’t it?
A: Absolutely not. Anyone presenting it that way is doing so in a completely misleading and biased manner. We reject such criticism. For us, what matters are the numbers, which show an Italy that is entirely different from 2022, after a decade of ineffective governments that came and went without electoral legitimacy.
- Too many people are now conveniently forgetting that. One can look at employment data, the performance of the Italian stock exchange, and more—these are all documented in the reports we have published annually since taking office. Citizens can review them and see that these are objective facts.
- The narrative attempting to exploit the referendum politically is simply unfounded.
Q: Yesterday also saw the release of data on combating tax evasion: over €100 billion recovered in three years.
A: This record gives a clear measure of how the relationship between the state and taxpayers has fundamentally changed. It is also the result of the tax reform implemented by the Meloni government—something that had been awaited for over 50 years.
- It is one of the major reforms we promised and delivered. It was among the first measures enacted, and it has completely reshaped the relationship between taxpayers and the state, finally focusing seriously on real tax evasion—which is why the results have followed.
Q: What kind of results?
A: Higher tax revenues and increased recovery of undeclared income.
Q: On two key programme areas—tackling illegal mass immigration and improving internal security—many measures have been weakened by judicial decisions.
A: Parliament has the authority to pass laws. After that, those laws must be enforced. If they are constantly challenged because individual judges interpret them at their own discretion—sometimes in ways that appear ideologically driven—then things inevitably become more difficult.
- There needs to be a greater sense of responsibility on this front. As for us, we will continue to pursue the fight against illegal immigration. Recent results are encouraging, as this year has seen a significant reduction in migratory flows.
Q: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni anticipated her European partners two days ago by travelling to Algeria. Through the geopolitical “highway” of the Mattei Plan, will Italy avoid gas supply issues?
A: We are dealing with a global problem. When roughly one-fifth—20%—of the world’s gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption affects everyone.
- That said, the Prime Minister’s visit to Algeria sends a very clear message: while the Italian left is absorbed in ideological debates and party interests, the government continues to strengthen Italy’s international position and deliver concrete benefits for families and businesses.
- Meloni reached an agreement with President Tebboune to increase gas supplies to Italy. This is a highly significant outcome, especially in a phase marked by energy market volatility and rising instability linked to the conflict in Iran.
D: Algeria has also been crucial in recent years for diversifying energy supplies.
A: On energy, this government has moved more effectively than others in Europe, starting as early as 2022 during the crisis triggered by dependence on Russian gas.
- It is worth reminding those who may conveniently forget, for electoral reasons, that Italy managed to diversify its supply sources and never reduced its gas imports—unlike Germany. B
- erlin, in fact, has faced years of near recession partly because it struggled to diversify. We did, and we continue to do so.
D: A key pillar of this government’s foreign policy is its focus on Africa and the Mediterranean.
A: The Mattei Plan is one of this government’s flagship initiatives. It reflects a new Italian approach to engagement with African nations, where Italy is also acting as a forerunner within Europe—just as it has done on illegal immigration.
- Across Europe, there is growing attention to what Italy is doing. The only outlier is the Italian left, which continues to criticise government actions without offering any viable proposals.
Q: Speaking of the EU, the European Parliament today voted in favour of facilitating return hubs, following the model developed after the Italy-Albania agreement. Yet the opposition claims there is no bridge between Rome and Brussels. Where is the mistake?
A: The mistake lies in the opposition’s distorted and ideological view of the government’s achievements—achievements that are recognised across Europe, including by the European left to which the Italian left belongs.
- The difference is that the Italian left, driven by symbolic positioning, seems focused on maintaining a narrative to show it still exists. In reality, it has no ideas, no projects, no programme.
- We have consistently challenged it on substance. And whenever it has put forward even partial proposals, it has ended up divided, as seen in foreign policy votes. Today, it represents no alternative to the Meloni government.
Q: The justice reform was approved by parliament but rejected in the referendum. Is that enough to speak of a government crisis, as the opposition suggests?
A: There is no crisis. From day one, Meloni made it clear that the government’s fate was not tied to the outcome of the referendum. Today, the opposition is trying to claim ownership of a result it hopes to replicate in future elections—but democracy is something else, and we respect it fully.
- We simply carried out our programme, as we were duty-bound to do. Of course, there is regret over a missed historic opportunity to modernise Italy. But this will not affect our commitment.
- On the contrary, we will move forward with even greater determination and consistency.
