Corruption explodes in Italy in 2025: number of investigations doubles in one year.

Italy recorded a significant increase in corruption cases in 2025. According to the NGO LiberaIn 2019, 96 investigations were recorded throughout the year, double the total registered in 2024. The data involves 49 prosecutor's offices and more than a thousand people investigated in 15 regions of the country.

The allegations include bribery for obtaining licenses, contracts in public sectors such as health and waste collection, bid rigging, and electoral favoritism. Links to mafia organizations were also identified.

The survey was released during the International Anti-Corruption Day, dated December 9th, and only considers surveys reported in the press between January 1st and December 1st, 2025.

More than 50 politicians in the crosshairs.

Among those under investigation are 53 politicians, including 24 mayors. The highest concentration of politicians under investigation is in the regions of... Campania and Puglia, with 13 names, followed by Sicily (8) and Lombardy (6).

Southern regions lead in corruption cases.

The southern regions, including the islands, accounted for 48 surveys. In the central region, there were 25, while the north recorded 23.

Campania leads with 18 investigations, followed by Lazio with 12. Sicily appears with 11 cases and Lombardy with 10.

The report shows that corruption extends from large urban centers, such as Rome, Milan, and Palermo, to smaller cities, such as Latina, which was at the center of an investigation against regional councilor Enrico Tiero, of the Fratelli d'Italia party. He was arrested in October.

Read also

Bolsonaro's arrest has received widespread coverage in the Italian press.

Cases involve fraud, public works, and citizenship.

The investigations cover bribery related to public works projects, building permits, falsified residency certificates for obtaining Italian citizenship, and bid-rigging.

The NGO Libera warns of the consolidation of corruption as a systemic practice, fueled by agreements between politicians, public servants, businesspeople, and even mafia factions.

The investigations are ongoing, with no decision yet on potential convictions.