Altieri forced to withdraw from anti-corruption presidency
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The government’s attempt to place Nuccio Altieri at the head of the National Anti-Corruption Authority has collapsed within days of his appointment. The Lega politician withdrew his candidacy following a confrontation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and a legal ruling that he was incompatible with the role. For an anti-corruption body, it was a notably messy start.
Internal friction continues elsewhere as Matteo Salvini has postponed local party congresses, a move that successfully blocks rebels from challenging his leadership of the Lega for now. Meanwhile, Alessandro Di Battista, formerly of the 5 Star Movement, is weighing a return to parliament. He may find the building more crowded than when he left: the former vice president of Sicily, Gaetano Armao, has been placed under house arrest for corruption.
Ministers are using a series of hacker attacks on high-profile politicians to justify an increase in defense spending. Prime Minister Meloni argued that the move is necessary for citizen security, while the defense minister, Guido Crosetto, warned that the country must stop being a passive observer of hybrid warfare. Evidence suggests the state’s current defenses were unable to prevent hackers from targeting the foreign minister and Francesco Lo Voï.