Stefano Donnarumma has resigned as chief executive of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), the state-owned rail group confirmed, at a time of escalating tensions with Giorgia Meloni’s government.
The departure follows months of friction with the administration, driven by delays and operational disruptions across the network—largely linked to ongoing modernisation works. There are also disagreements over strategic decisions, including the integration of rail subsidiaries and the potential entry of foreign capital into the high-speed segment.
According to various reports, the resignation was formalised after a meeting with Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, and forms part of a broader reshaping of governance across state-owned enterprises. Donnarumma had held the post since June 2024, during which he advanced investment programmes tied to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Gianpiero Strisciuglio, currently head of Trenitalia, has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the role.
In parallel, Italy’s Supreme Court has upheld convictions related to the 2009 Viareggio derailment, ordering the imprisonment of former FS chief executive Mauro Moretti, a ruling that brings rail safety back into sharp focus.
FS has reiterated its commitment to its industrial plan and to maintaining operational continuity across the group.