Adnkronos (Adnkronos) –
The Council of Ministers is meeting today to approve a decree with measures to support road haulage and new resources for agriculture, while protests against fuel prices and roadblocks are causing disruption in several areas of Southern Italy. "The government has been working for days to identify the resources needed to support the road haulage sector," sources at Palazzo Chigi report.
The goal, they explain, is to quickly translate the commitments made into concrete measures, bringing together in the decree interventions for road haulers and additional resources for the agricultural sector.
The government, however, also emphasizes the need to restore traffic flow. "The continuation of some protests, despite the ongoing discussions and the agreement reached with trade associations, highlights a more complex situation," the sources emphasize, urging a distinction to be made between legitimate demands and potential illegal conduct.
“Compliance with the rules, freedom of movement, and the protection of economic activities must remain essential priorities.”
According to a statement from the Ministry of Transport, the Council of Ministers is expected to approve new measures to support road haulage, which will pay particular attention to small operators and those excluded from the measures provided for by European legislation. Measures already identified include compensation for high diesel prices, suspension of leasing fees, and digitalization of consignment notes.
Work continues now to ensure concrete responses, especially for the so-called small employers, and to safeguard market stability.
Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chaired a meeting with Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, Deputy Transport Minister Edoardo Rixi, and Undersecretaries Alfredo Mantovano and Giovanbattista Fazzolari.
During the meeting, sources at Palazzo Chigi report, "the measures to be presented to the Council of Ministers were reviewed." Regarding road haulage, "the outcome of yesterday's meeting with industry representatives and the immediate implementation of the measures were discussed." The government is also working on "a package of concrete regulations and initiatives to support the agricultural sector."
On the security front, Piantedosi updated the government on contacts with the prefects of the affected areas. The Interior Ministry is working to ease traffic congestion and ensure the continuity of supplies, with particular attention to essential goods, food, and medicine. "Law enforcement has escorted approximately 500 truck drivers. This service will be guaranteed to anyone who requests it, allowing them to continue working safely," sources report.
Finally, the government reiterates its will to protect the rights of all and to combat any illegal conduct: «The government reiterates its firm will to guarantee the rights of all and to combat any delinquent and criminal conduct».
While awaiting concrete responses from the government, protests have halted in Sicily and Calabria. The days-long protest at the Caianello toll booth on the A1 motorway has also been dissolved. In Sicily, the Association of Sicilian Road Haulers (Aias) decided to lift the blockade of trucks after a meeting at the Prefecture in Catania. Protests have also been suspended in Calabria, where Fedralog is awaiting a meeting with Minister Matteo Salvini scheduled for October 27. The decision, according to a statement, was "difficult but thoughtful" and made "with a deep sense of responsibility towards the community, businesses, citizens, and the protection of national security."
The federation explained that it intends to place its trust in the government and the ministry, pending the meeting with Salvini scheduled for October 27th. "We are confident that the long-awaited, concrete solutions will finally arrive at the meeting with Minister Salvini on the 27th," Fedralog emphasized, warning that, in the absence of adequate responses, "a march to Rome will be organized using all means."
Yesterday, truckers, deeming the measures promised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport during the meeting with trade associations to be insufficient, decided to extend the blockade until at least October 27. The situation is particularly critical in Campania, with roadblocks and pickets at the highway toll booths in Nola, Avellino Est, Mercato San Severino (Salerno), Capua, and Caserta Nord. The repercussions are far-reaching: in some areas of Naples, fuel stations have run out. Photos of supermarkets with empty shelves due to delays in food deliveries are circulating on social media.
Airports in the South are also affected: Naples, Salerno, Catania, Reggio Calabria, and Crotone are all out of service. ENAV is issuing warnings to airlines, warning them to refuel their aircraft with sufficient jet fuel before departure because "Jet A1 Fuel Availability" is limited at four airports in the South.
The road haulage disruption is also creating disruption for those waiting for packages and mail. Following the food and restaurant industries, fashion, packaging, fuel supplies, and waste disposal, several shipping players are reporting problems due to truck holdups.
As the government meets to approve the decree with new resources, the opposition is attacking and demanding that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni report on the economic crisis and the hardships affecting the country.
"I request an urgent briefing from the Prime Minister on the economic crisis affecting the country; the country is coming to a standstill," said Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte, speaking in the Chamber of Deputies. "I support Conte's request for an urgent briefing from Prime Minister Meloni on the country's crisis," echoed Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party. The Alliance of the Greens, Left, and Italy groups also supported the request.
The Five Star Movement president described a situation characterized by traffic disruptions, supply problems, and potential repercussions on product distribution. "We have traffic at a standstill, supermarket shelves are emptying, gas stations are running dry, Italy is coming to a standstill... And in the face of all this, what does the government intend to respond to? The response so far seems completely inadequate. I can't understand why Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni isn't meeting with those who are currently causing so much economic and social hardship."
And Elly Schlein added, "I ask Giorgia Meloni to leave the palace, to listen to the real country, to come to this Parliament and report on concrete solutions to improve people's lives." And Bonelli emphasized, "You're in trouble, you've lost your connection with the country, and now you're throwing mud at those who protest because they want work."
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