Italian Government Cuts Culture Budget by €147M While Announcing €30M Library Fund

Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli announced a 'Piano Olivetti per la Cultura' with €30 million for libraries, especially in peripheral and underdeveloped areas, at the EU Council on November 26, 2024. However, the 2025 Budget Law cuts the Ministry of Culture's spending by €147 million in 2025, €178 million in 2026, and €204 million in 2027. The heritage protection sector loses €100 million, fine arts €36 million, books and publishing €18 million, archives €13.5 million, and cinema €3 million. University and research face €700 million in linear cuts. The Development and Cohesion Fund for the Ministry of Culture dropped from €31.3 billion to €5.7 billion after Raffaele Fitto left for the European Commission, leaving only €171.8 million. Meanwhile, military spending rises by €7.5 billion over three years, totaling €35 billion by 2039. Giuli and French Culture Minister Rachida Dati agreed to push for EU shared financing for culture linked to military spending growth. Italy has over 13,000 libraries (2,000+ in Lombardy, fewer than 300 in Molise and Basilicata combined), but details on the fund's allocation remain vague. Giuli emphasized libraries' role in media literacy and digital inclusion, especially for youth, against 'authoritarian propaganda' and 'political correctness.' The article criticizes the government's priorities, highlighting staff shortages, low salaries, and lack of infrastructure investment.