“I am satisfied because the commission, unthinkable until a few months ago, has taken on board our proposals, the result of long, serious and confidential work”. So says Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti on the proposal to expand the Nec defence to energy, formalised today by the commission on the sidelines of the recommendations to countries.
“When the limits of utilisation are specified, the Mef reserves the right to make the most targeted proposals to protect businesses and households. Of course, the assessment must be made as a whole and must also take into account the latest estimates provided by the Commission and the elements contained in the Commission’s recommendations that testify to the effort and seriousness of Italy’s public finance”.
To Italia, findings on accounts, energy, labour and health
Maintain the correction of public accounts, ensure that any measures against high energy prices are temporary and targeted, accelerate the implementation of the NRP and the cohesion funds, support research and innovation, strengthen public administration and justice, push on the energy transition and intervene on the labour market, education, health and social inclusion. These are the six recommendations addressed by the European Commission to Italia in the context of the European semester 2026.
Ok to use escape clause
“In view of the investments needed for Europe’s long-term energy security and at the request of the member state, the commission proposes to allow member states to request to extend the scope of the current national derogation clause (Nec) for defence to energy resilience measures, on a temporary and limited basis”. Brussels indicates this in its spring package of recommendations. ‘This possible extension,’ the commission explains, ‘will include measures, taken from February 2026, that reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and thus enhance Europe’s security and resilience. Within the existing cap (1.5 per cent of GDP) for additional defence spending under the NEC, a dedicated annual cap for the period 2026-2028 (0.3 per cent of GDP) and a cumulative cap (0.6 per cent of GDP) for the same period will apply specifically to energy resilience measures. Importantly, this approach ensures that all fiscal sustainability safeguards remain fully in place’. At the moment, it is not yet clear whether the clause can be activated for expenditure on energy without pure defence expenditure at the same time.
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