he judicial process against Daniela Santanchè, Italy’s Minister of Tourism and businesswoman, has entered a new phase of deadlock. The court decided to “freeze” the preliminary hearing until February 2026, also suspending the statute of limitations period.
The minister is accused of aggravated fraud against the INPS (National Social Security Institute) in the Visibilia case, involving around €126,000 in undue unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to prosecutors, 13 employees were registered as “inactive” (“zero-hour”) while continuing to work remotely.
Defense Strategy and Legal Timelines
Santanchè’s defense, led by a new attorney, argues that the case includes private messages obtained without parliamentary authorization, making such evidence “inadmissible.”
The postponement, according to the court, aims to ensure full defense rights and sufficient time to analyze the evidence. Nevertheless, critics highlight the slow pace of Italian justice, especially in cases involving public figures.
Risk of Prescription and Public Trust
Prosecutors warned that repeated delays could lead to prescription, ending the case before a ruling is reached. Although the prescription period is currently suspended, constant “freezing” undermines public confidence in the judicial system.
Politically, the case is being closely followed within the government and Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party. Some allies suggest that if the minister faces trial, she should step down to protect the government’s image.
Reasonable Duration of the Process
The Italian Constitution (Art. 111) and the European Convention on Human Rights guarantee the right to a trial within a reasonable time. However, successive postponements put that principle at risk.
During the hearing, prosecutors stressed that “justice cannot be indefinitely delayed,” warning of potential impunity and institutional fatigue.
Political Weight and Repercussions
The Santanchè case has major political repercussions in Italy. Beyond this process, the minister faces other investigations, including alleged false accounting in her business group.
Because the case involves public funds used during the pandemic, each new delay raises concern among both opposition and government members, adding pressure on Meloni’s administration to maintain an image of integrity.
What Comes Next
The next hearing is scheduled for February 2026, when the judge will decide on the admissibility of evidence and preliminary matters that determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
Meanwhile, the statute of limitations remains suspended, preventing the delay from automatically benefiting the defendants. If the trial drags on, it may reopen the debate on Italian criminal justice reform and the legal limits of prescription.
