At the Confindustria assembly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on the European Union to reduce excessive regulations and eliminate self-imposed tariffs that hinder economic growth. She emphasized the need to avoid speculative practices that increase energy costs for producers and employers. Confindustria President Carlo Bonomi Orsini advocated for a comprehensive industrial plan to boost investments in Italy and Europe, stressing the importance of a strong pact to support businesses. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola expressed solidarity with Italian industry, urging the EU to provide solutions rather than obstacles. Meanwhile, the UniCredit-Banco BPM merger has sparked tensions within the Italian government, with Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti reportedly threatening to resign if the deal is forced against opposition. UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel indicated that if the merger is blocked by the administrative court, the bank might attempt the operation again later. The merger has also drawn criticism over strategic vision, particularly concerning Generali, with investor Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone questioning CEO Philippe Donnet's leadership. The government remains divided on the matter, with Giorgetti blocking the public offer while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani supports it. Additionally, UniCredit is pursuing expansion in Greece through Alpha Bank and has received offers related to its Russian assets. In other developments, Stellantis appointed Filosa as a new leader amid a lukewarm market response, and plans were unveiled to address depopulation in Italy's school, health, and transport sectors. The government is also under pressure to meet digitalization targets linked to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with no agreement reached between Fibercop and the relevant group due to tight deadlines.