Italy rules out April 2027 election as devolution bill advances
Why it matters: A later vote would keep parliament focused on regional autonomy plans and avoid a budget-season power vacuum.
Italy cannot hold a national election in April 2027 because parliament still needs time to complete legislation that would shift more powers to regional authorities, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said in Rome. His remarks pushed back on reports that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could call an early vote a few months before the scheduled autumn 2027 deadline. Backers of an earlier election have argued that waiting until September 2027 could leave Italy without a fully empowered government during October budget talks, when new public finance targets are set. Giorgetti also said Italy still had a slim chance of exiting a European Union procedure over its excessive budget deficit, though he added he doubted the 2025 shortfall would be revised below 3% of GDP.