From 2026, Secret Service Protection for Former Premiers Ends

Starting from January 1, 2026, the protection system for former Prime Ministers will change. The Government has decided to eliminate the “mixed escort” system, which involved the joint presence of personnel from the Ministry of the Interior and AISI, the internal secret service, to ensure the safety of former premiers.

With the implementation of the ordinary regime, protection will be entrusted exclusively to the Ministry of the Interior's device. The change will affect various personalities who have held the position of Prime Minister, including Matteo Renzi, Paolo Gentiloni, Mario Monti, Romano Prodi, and Massimo D’Alema. Exceptions are Giuseppe Conte and Mario Draghi, already today protected only by the Ministry of the Interior's escort.

The decision was communicated with a letter signed by the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council and delegated authority for the security of the Republic, Alfredo Mantovano, sent in the spring of 2025 to those concerned. According to sources from Palazzo Chigi, it is a “necessary act”: the choice indeed derives from the mere application of a circular adopted during the Conte II government, which provided for the gradual return to ordinary protection.

The current legislation, dating back to 2002, allowed the sitting Prime Minister to strengthen protection measures for high-risk personalities. However, a report from the Copasir in the XVI legislature (2008-2013) had already suggested overcoming the mixed escort model for reasons of consistency and resource rationalization. After a period of suspension of the circular's application, also due to requests from those concerned, the Government has now opted for the definitive implementation of the ordinary regime, without further exceptions.

Among the former premiers, Matteo Renzi has publicly expressed his dissent. In a message shared via social media, he stated that he received the confidential communication last April 15 and responded by also renouncing the Ministry of the Interior's escort. The leader of Italia Viva accused the Government of politicizing the matter, calling it a “vendetta” for his critical positions.

However, as we have seen, the measure has previous roots and follows a direction already initiated in the past. The institutions involved reiterate that it is a regular and consistent application of the provisions provided.

Source: https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2025/05/30/la-stretta-di-mantovano-via-la-scorta-agli-ex-premier_5b0270d3-1531-4a64-86e8-7ff20ba13777.html