Poste Italiane risks abandoning the Universal Service.

Poste Italiane may not participate in the tender for the renewal of the Universal Postal Service in 2026. The announcement was made by CEO Matteo Del Fante during a hearing at the Chamber of Deputies.

The CGIL and SLC CGIL have described this possible choice as "unacceptable," stating that it would betray the company's historic mission in the name of profit. The unions fear that Poste could transform into a purely financial entity, with serious consequences for workers and citizens.

The complaint comes one week after the confirmation of the sale of an additional 15% of Poste's shares to the market, as planned in the 2024 budget. The unions are calling for the defense of the company's social role.

The Universal Postal Service is a public service that guarantees all citizens, in every area of the country, access to basic postal services at affordable rates. This system was created to ensure that even in the most remote or disadvantaged areas there is an efficient postal service.

Poste Italiane, originally a public company, built its identity and solid economic foundation precisely on this service. In recent years, however, the company has progressively transformed, expanding its financial and insurance activities while the government has initiated partial privatization processes.

The current situation arises from the combination of two factors: on one hand, the pressure to increase the profitability of its shares (with the aim of tripling their return), and on the other, the government plan that includes interventions in the postal sector between 2027 and 2029. If Poste were to abandon the Universal Service, it would radically change its nature, prioritizing profit over its social function.