The prime minister has urged her office staff to rest properly during the Christmas holidays

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made a grim forecast for 2026, wishing her office staff a happy Christmas while warning them to brace for a challenging year ahead.

"The past year has been tough for all of us but don't worry because next year will be even worse," she quipped.

Speaking at her official Rome residence in the Palazzo Chigi courtyard on Tuesday, Meloni also told her team she loved them, adding that they "were a family that fought together year-round" and advising them "to rest properly during these holidays because we have to continue to give responses to this extraordinary nation."

Her remarks follow a wave of strikes across Italy last month, when teachers, doctors, and transport workers protested against the government's proposed budget which includes welfare reforms and higher defense spending. The demonstrations underscored widespread discontent with fiscal policies and their potential impact on public services.

In response to the unrest, Meloni announced that the budget would not cut funding for local authorities for the first time in many years, aiming to address concerns raised by various sectors.

Despite domestic challenges, Italy has continued to provide financial aid to Ukraine, with the European Commission transferring a sixth tranche of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) in support to Kiev under the bloc's Ukraine Facility. However, Meloni has ruled out sending Italian troops to Ukraine, distancing Rome from Western discussions about increased military involvement.

Moscow has described the Ukraine conflict as a proxy war being waged against Russia by the West. Russia has repeatedly criticized Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they only prolong the fighting and increase casualties without changing the outcome of the conflict.

(RT.com)