The European Union is preparing to hold a formal European Council summit in Rome in March 2027, marking the 70th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. The event, which would be the first of its kind outside Brussels, is being organised amid growing speculation that Italy could head to the polls in early spring.
EU leaders typically gather in the Belgian capital for their summits, but under exceptional circumstances the European Council president can propose an alternative venue, provided all member states agree unanimously. According to an EU official who spoke on condition of anonymity, President António Costa has floated the idea of a formal meeting in Rome to coincide with the anniversary. "Preparations are ongoing," the official said.
The proposal was first reported by the Italian daily La Stampa, which noted that the summit would hand Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni a prominent international platform shortly before the next general election. Italy's next vote is due by the end of 2027, but an early ballot in April or May is being openly discussed in political circles.
A symbolic return to the birthplace of the EU
The Treaties of Rome, signed on 25 March 1957, established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, laying the groundwork for what is now the European Union. Holding a formal summit in the Italian capital would carry deep symbolic weight, underscoring the bloc's founding ideals at a time of geopolitical strain and internal debate over its future direction.
The Italian government has welcomed the move. Costa raised the idea with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a tour of EU capitals in September, specifically because Brussels is the usual host of summits. De Wever indicated he would not oppose the one-off exception, according to an official familiar with the conversation.
If approved, the Rome gathering would be the first time an anniversary celebration has been combined with a formal European Council meeting outside Brussels. The decision requires the unanimous backing of all 27 member states, a process that is expected to be smooth given the symbolic nature of the occasion.
The summit would also come at a pivotal moment for the EU, which is grappling with issues ranging from budget deadlocks and migration rifts to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Costa's term as European Council president expires on 31 May 2027, and he is expected to seek a second two-and-a-half-year term, as his predecessors have done. Reappointment requires the backing of a qualified majority of member states.
For Meloni, the summit would offer a chance to showcase her leadership on the European stage, particularly if an early election is called. Her party, Brothers of Italy, has sought to position itself as a bridge between the EU's mainstream and the nationalist right, and a high-profile event in Rome could bolster her domestic standing.
However, the timing remains uncertain. Italian political observers note that while an early vote is possible, no formal decision has been made. The government has repeatedly denied any immediate plans, but the prospect of a spring election has been fuelled by coalition tensions and the desire to capitalise on favourable polling.
The EU's preparations for the Rome summit are still in their early stages, with logistical details and the agenda yet to be finalised. Officials stress that the event would be a formal working summit, not just a ceremonial gathering, and would address pressing issues facing the bloc.
As the anniversary approaches, the choice of Rome serves as a reminder of the EU's origins and the enduring importance of the Franco-German axis, which was central to the original treaties. Whether the summit will coincide with an Italian election remains to be seen, but the symbolism alone is likely to resonate across the continent.
