Wednesday, September 23, 2026English edition
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Country risk, from the local press

Italy · Country watch

BCE Rate Hike Expected, Dementia Plan Unveiled

The ECB is expected to raise rates, while Italy launches a new national dementia plan seeking more funds.

· · 9 sources

The picture Mixed

Italy's business conditions show mixed signals: the ECB's expected rate hike pressures financial sectors, while the new dementia plan seeks more funds.

In this briefing European Central Bank · Orazio Schillaci · Ministry of Health (Italy) · Maros Sefcovic · Wang Wentao · European Union · China

Regulation

  • finance

BCE expected to raise rates amid inflation shock

The European Central Bank (ECB) is anticipated to increase interest rates, according to experts from Natixis IM. They note that the Eurozone is experiencing a moderate and temporary inflation shock. This move is expected to be followed by a pause in rate changes. The ECB's decision aims to address inflationary pressures within the Eurozone, impacting borrowing costs and financial markets.

Impact Borrowers and financial institutions in Italy face higher costs as ECB rate hikes loom.

Sources: TGcom24 ↗

  • public-sector
  • pharma

Italy launches new National Dementia Plan

Ministry of Health in Italy
Ministry of Health in Italy CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Italy's Health Minister Orazio Schillaci announced the new National Dementia Plan, which includes 43 objectives, 58 actions, and 64 indicators to enhance dementia care. The plan, last updated in 2014, aims to improve the effectiveness of dementia management. Schillaci stated that he will request additional funding in the upcoming budget law, as the current allocation stands at only 15 million euros for this year.

Impact Healthcare providers and public sector planners in Italy will need to align with new dementia care objectives.

Sources: Rai News ↗, Quotidiano Net ↗

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

Nothing significant reported today.

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

EU demands trade balance with China by October

The European Union has requested concrete progress in rebalancing its trade relationship with China by October, according to Quotidiano Net. EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is preparing for a visit to Beijing on October 8-9, following discussions with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. Key issues include market access, Chinese exports, and rare earths. The EU seeks to address trade imbalances and enhance market opportunities for European businesses.

Impact EU exporters and importers of Chinese goods face potential changes in trade dynamics as negotiations progress.

Watch Sefcovic's visit to Beijing on October 8-9 · 8 October 2026

Sources: Quotidiano Net ↗

Politics

Nothing significant reported today.

Also today in Italy

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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