Italy's parliament passes Ukraine resolutions as opposition splits on Kyiv aid
The Chamber approved the majority's two resolutions ahead of the 15-16 October European Council, while opposition parties stayed united against the government but split over Ukraine and sat out the vote.
Majority resolutions pass in both chambers
The Chamber of Deputies approved the two resolutions tabled by the governing majority, after the Senate had voted them first. The first, on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's communications ahead of the European Council of 15 and 16 October, passed with 176 votes in favour, 115 against and 11 abstentions. The second, on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, passed with 186 votes in favour and none against, with eight abstentions, because the opposition did not take part in that vote. Opposition texts were rejected, except for part of a resolution from Azione, which was approved.
- In favour
- 176 votes
- Against
- 115 votes
- Abstained
- 11 votes
- In favour
- 186 votes
- Against
- 0 votes
- Abstained
- 8 votes
Lega reshapes the Ukraine text
The majority's first draft committed the government to multidimensional support for Ukraine's institutions and population, a formula agreed in principle between Minister for European Affairs Tommaso Foti and the majority's group leaders. At the request of Lega senator Claudio Borghi, the reference to Ukraine's institutions was removed, leaving support for the population only, meaning not its institutions, which the article equates with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lega also deleted the line stating that no decision on European security could be taken without Europe. In exchange, Fratelli d'Italia secured a commitment to strengthen European cooperation against hybrid threats, cyberattacks, external interference and the protection of critical infrastructure. Matteo Salvini, speaking in Brussels, said Italy cannot keep helping Kyiv indefinitely and will have to return to buying Russian gas.
Meloni and the opposition split on Ukraine
In the Senate debate ahead of the summit, Meloni reaffirmed military support for Kyiv as the only route to peace and rejected the argument that arms aid obstructs negotiations. She told the chamber:
The way I see it, support for Ukraine is not an alternative to peace, it is what makes it possible.
She also warned that if Ukraine stopped defending itself, the discussion would be about the occupation of a European nation. Within the opposition, the PD and the Five Star Movement converged on a diplomatic approach described as a "new Helsinki", but M5S remains opposed to sending weapons, alongside AVS, while Italia Viva and Azione want stronger military aid and criticise the US line. Giuseppe Provenzano, head of foreign affairs in Schlein's secretariat, acknowledged the divide:
On the European Council, each political force will proceed with its own resolution, as the right also always did when it was in opposition.
He added that the Ukraine question will not be settled in one parliamentary vote and that a solution respecting international law would be found at the coalition's political table.
A 21-point economic programme
The joint resolution on the Documento programmatico di finanza pubblica (DPFP) lists 21 points, covering growth and competitiveness, a radical review of NATO spending commitments, energy autonomy, a full revision of the stability pact and aligning Italian incomes with European ones. It also includes housing, paid parental leave, funding for healthcare and research, and a revival of industry. M5S group leaders Riccardo Ricciardi and Luca Pirondini said the "no to rearmament" now appears as firm commitments rather than in the preamble. Giuseppe Conte, speaking at a student protest over rents in Piazza Montecitorio, said:
We are truly proud of having united the opposition around our no to rearmament.
Francesco Boccia, president of the PD senators, argued that the unitary line pays off. Talks on the text ran late into the night, and Schlein had to step in during the morning to persuade Riccardo Magi to sign a document changed only hours earlier.
Schlein and the PD leadership vote
Schlein, speaking to reporters in the Transatlantico, called the cross-abstention on Ukraine a step forward and credited unitary work among the parties. The PD parliamentary group meets on 15 October at Rondine Cittadella della Pace in the province of Arezzo for a two-day retreat. On Sunday 18 October the national assembly will vote on extending Schlein as secretary ahead of the spring elections.
- Chamber approves the majority resolutions ahead of the European Council
- PD parliamentary group begins a two-day retreat at Rondine Cittadella della Pace near Arezzo
- PD national assembly votes on extending Elly Schlein as secretary
No PD secretary had previously completed the party's four-year statutory term, so an extension would mark the first time a leader reaches that point.