Carried over from the previous evening, Meloni's request to von der Leyen for flexibility over inflation-driven spending met a cool Brussels reply that flexibility had already been granted, as markets pushed the Btp-Bund spread from 123 to 131 points.

Morning coverage shifted to the general strike disrupting trains, schools and health, then to PD leader Schlein's directorate where she told Meloni "you failed, go home" and warned allies that "one does not equal one," drawing Meloni's charge of ten falsehoods and Conte's demand for primaries and a stop to rearmament.

By late afternoon the government approved the public finance planning document with a 0.3% deviation, about 28-29 billion for energy and defence in 2027-2028, with Giorgetti urging prudence and forecasting deficit at 3.4-3.5% and growth at 0.8%.