Italian inflation at its highest in three years

PRICES. On 30 September Istat put annual inflation at 4.2 per cent, up from 3.3 in August. Energy did almost all of it, rising 22.3 per cent over the year, with the regulated tariffs that households keep if they never changed supplier up 25.9. Core inflation is 1.7, and so is the shopping basket. Prices outside energy are rising slowly.

VOTING RULES. On 1 October the Chamber of Deputies rejected the opposition's claim that the new electoral law is unconstitutional, 229 to 151. The ballot was secret, which is how an Italian majority finds out whether its own benches will hold. They held. Three confidence votes come next week, the final vote is on 8 October, and Gianni Cuperlo of the Democratic Party promises court challenges. Italy votes in 2027.

A STRIKE. Friday was a 24 hour general strike called by CSLE, a small union, with Fi-si, over fuel and food prices, taxes and wages. Schools, health, councils, metalworking, farming and the ports were named; on the railways the stop ran 11am to 2pm. The notices name only those two unions, not CGIL, CISL and UIL, so the effect depended on the workplace.

GREEN CRIME. Legambiente counted 35,735 environmental offences in 2025, down 12 per cent after two years of growth. The money went the other way: 11.5 billion euros of illegal business against 9.3 billion in 2024. Waste leads at 10,914 cases, and Campania is the worst region.

ALSO. Mattarella signed the schools decree on Wednesday night, so the 30 per cent ceiling on foreign pupils in a first year class is in force and parliament has 60 days to confirm it. We set out last Friday who the ceiling actually counts. Italy are at the Stade de France tonight for the top of their Nations League group. And 2 October is Italy's grandparents' day.