Italy’s Department of Information and Security (DIS) has said the country is already taking steps to protect the 2027 parliamentary election from possible foreign interference, including from Russia.
This is reported by ANSA.
DIS Director-General Vittorio Rizzi said that safeguarding the electoral process is not only an issue for Italy, but for all countries holding elections in 2026 and 2027.
He said that, in line with recommendations from the parliamentary committee overseeing the intelligence services, COPASIR, Italy has already introduced a range of measures to protect the freedom of democratic choice.
DIS coordinates the work of Italy’s intelligence services: the Internal Intelligence and Security Agency (AISI) and the External Intelligence and Security Agency (AISE).
The Italian intelligence statement followed a warning from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani about possible attempts by Moscow to influence the upcoming election.
“It cannot be ruled out that there may be attempts to influence elections in countries where voting is taking place. I am convinced this could happen, so we need to act in advance,” Tajani said.
He stressed that the risk of Russian interference concerns not only Italy, but other European Union countries as well.
According to ANSA, possible Russian influence on the election is also being discussed within the governing coalition.
Tajani called the risk of Moscow influencing the election “significant”.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said he sees no grounds for “anti-Russian alarm”.
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