Italy has indicated that it is willing to amend its “golden power” laws, which allow the government to intervene in strategic corporate deals.
The proposed change comes as the European Commission considers disciplinary action against Rome for how it applied the rules, especially in blocking a major bank merger between UniCredit and Banco BPM.
Italian and EU officials are now in talks on how Rome can adjust its legislation in a way that keeps national interests intact but addresses Brussels’ concerns.
The amendment effort is seen as a move to avoid a two-track legal challenge by the EU, which may issue a formal notice and a separate merger-screening action by mid-November.
Italy emphasizes it still wants to retain the core ability to protect key sectors, a stance backed by recent court rulings.
