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WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

EU election results, a G7 summit in Puglia and a nationwide train strike: here's what to expect in Italy this week.

Published: 9 June 2024 08:42 CEST
Train passengers leave Venice's Santa Lucia station
Train passengers leave Venice's Santa Lucia station. Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP

Monday

EU election results 

The official results of the 2024 European Parliament elections are expected to be announced by the end of Monday, June 10th, though live seat projections should be available as early as Sunday evening.

A total of 720 members will be elected to the European Parliament as MEPs for a five-year mandate, with voters in Italy electing 76 seats (Italy’s the third most represented country after Germany and France).

Following the vote, the newly-elected MEPs will form political groups based on shared beliefs and affiliations.

READ ALSO: 10 things you should know about the European Parliamentary elections

The European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the liberals of Renew Europe currently make up the parliamentary majority, but this may change after the elections, especially if right and far-right parties end up making significant gains as suggested by polls.

Thursday

G7 leaders meet in Puglia

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) – an intergovernmental political and economic forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK and US – will meet in Fasano, Puglia, on Thursday, June 13th for a three-day summit chaired by Italian PM Meloni.

According to a statement from the Italian government, G7 leaders will use the summit to reiterate their support for Ukraine, address de-escalation efforts for the Israel-Palestine conflict and draw up new partnerships with developing economies in Africa. 

The event will also feature a conference on the challenges presented by artificial intelligence, with Pope Francis set to be among the participants. 

Saturday

Italy takes on Albania in Euro 2024 debut

The Italian national football team will play its opening match in the 2024 European Championship against Albania on Saturday, June 15th. 

Players of the Italian national football team sing the national anthem prior to a match against Venezuela

Players of the Italian national football team sing the national anthem prior to a match against Venezuela. Photo by CLAUDIO VILLA / Getty Images via AFP

The game will be held at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund, with kickoff set for 9pm Italian time.

For info on how to watch the upcoming Euro 2024 matches in Italy, see our article.

Rome Pride celebrations

The 2024 edition of the annual Rome Pride will take place on Saturday, June 15th. 

The event’s traditional parade will start in the central Piazza della Repubblica at 3pm and then head south towards this year’s Pride village, located right by the Baths of Caracalla. 

The parade will be followed by a number of events, including live music shows, talks and film screenings.

It’s worth noting that the scheduled parade may result in road closures and changes to public transport routes during the day. See the Roma Mobilità website for all the relevant updates. 

Calcio Storico final in Florence

The final act of Florence’s annual Calcio Storico (Historical Football) tournament – one of the most eagerly awaited events in the city’s sports calendar – will unfold in the central Piazza Santa Croce on Saturday, June 15th.

The tournament’s final match usually coincides with the feast day of the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist, on June 24th, but was brought forward this year due to local elections.

The Calcio Storico is an early – and very violent – form of football, whose origins date back to the early 16th century.

Players pictured during a Calcio Storico match in Florence

Players pictured during a Calcio Storico match in Florence. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Further details about the upcoming match can be found here.

Sunday

Nationwide rail staff strike

Train passengers in Italy may face delays or cancellations on Sunday, June 16th as staff at multiple rail operators, including Trenitalia and Trenord, plan to take part in a 23-hour walkout starting at 3am on Sunday and ending at 2am on Monday.

The planned protest is expected to affect all types of rail travel, from long-distance services to regional and local ones, with the overall level of disruption likely to vary by city and operator.

READ ALSO: Key dates: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in summer 2024

It’s currently unclear whether or not services from private operator Italo will be affected by the protest.

Keep up with the latest updates in The Local’s strike news section.

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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

A key tax date for homeowners and a parliamentary vote on controversial electoral reform: here's what to expect in Italy this week.

Published: 16 June 2024 08:22 CEST
On the agenda: What's happening in Italy this week

Monday

Italy’s property tax deadline

Homeowners will have until the end of Monday, June 17th, to pay the first instalment of Italy’s property tax IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica, or Unified Municipal Tax). 

The first IMU deadline normally falls on June 16th but it was moved to June 17th this year as June 16th is a Sunday.

IMU, whose exact amount varies by the type, value and location of a property, is not owed by all homeowners in Italy. To see whether or not the tax applies to you, see our article. 

Tax return deadline for Americans living abroad

US nationals living outside the States, including in Italy, must file their annual federal income tax return by Monday, June 17th this year.

The standard deadline for American taxpayers living in the States is April 15th, but foreign residents are granted an automatic two-month extension to June 15th. As June 15th fell on a Saturday this year, the deadline was moved to the nearest following working day: June 17th.

READ ALSO: Do US nationals in Italy have to pay taxes twice?

Foreign residents who are unable to file their tax return by the automatic extension date can request an additional extension to October 15th.

A closeup of an American 1040 income tax form

A closeup of an American 1040 income tax form. Photo by JOE RAEDLE / Getty Images via AFP

Tuesday

Voter registration deadline for Brits 

British nationals anywhere in the world have until 11.59pm British Summer Time on Tuesday, June 18th, to register to vote in the July 4th general election. 

Most voters can register online, with the process taking around 5 minutes. If you previously were disbarred from voting due to the 15-year rule, you should register here.

READ ALSO: How Brits living in Europe can register to vote for UK election

If you live outside the UK, you’ll also have to choose how you want to vote after registering. There are two options: a postal vote, where you’re sent a ballot paper that will need to reach the polls by polling day, or a proxy vote, where a UK-based voter you trust can vote on your behalf.

The deadlines to choose your voting option can be found here.

Senate to vote on contested electoral reform bill

Italy’s upper house of parliament will vote on a controversial electoral reform bill on Tuesday after senators approved one of its key articles last Wednesday.

The reform, which proposes an overhaul of the current electoral system by allowing voters to directly elect the prime minister, is necessary for Italy’s political stability according to current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

But critics say the proposed system isn’t found in any other democratic nation in the world and would dangerously deplete the President of the Republic’s powers.

Opposition parties to stage Rome protest after parliament brawl

Italy’s opposition parties will stage a protest in Rome on Tuesday after a brawl in the lower house of parliament last Wednesday resulted in a Five-Star Movement MP being injured and needing medical attention.

The rally, which is backed by the Five-Star Movement, the Democratic Party, the Green-Left Alliance and More Europe, was called in response to “a climate of continuous intimidation” enforced by the ruling majority. 

The protest was scheduled to take place in Rome’s Piazza Santissimi Apostoli at 5.30pm.

Thursday

Italy takes on Spain in second Euro 2024 match

The Italian national football team will face Spain in its second group stage match of the 2024 European Championship on Thursday, June 20th.

The game will be held at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, with kickoff set for 9pm Italian time.

For details on how to watch Euro 2024 matches in Italy, see our guide.

Saturday

Venice Art Night

Venice will put on a full programme of cultural events and special evening openings on Saturday, June 22nd, as part of the 13th edition of the popular Art Night scheme.

From museums and galleries to palaces and art foundations, some 150 institutions around the city will keep their doors open to the public until late, with many offering free admission. 

Tickets at select cinemas around the city will also be sold at a discounted price of 3 euros.

For more information on this year’s programme, see the Venice Art Night website. 

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