Every week we analyze a politician: promises, misdeeds, personal benefits and costs for citizens.

Guido Crosetto

💼 Minister for Defence 🏛️ Brothers of Italy 🇮🇹 Italia

Minister of Defense

Guido Crosetto was born in Cuneo on 19 September 1963. His political career begins in the ranks of the Christian Democracy, and then passes through local administrative experiences (he was mayor of Marene at 26 years and provincial councillor). At national level, he was Secretary of Defense in the 4th Berlusconi government. In 2012 he was one of the co-founders of **Fratelli d'Italia**, a party of which he was national coordinator. From the 22nd of October 2022*** he held the position of Defense Minister* in the Meloni government. The past as a lobbyist in the arms industry. Before becoming a minister, Crosetto held leading roles in the defense industry. He was the chairman of AIAD**, the industrial association representing aerospace, defence and security companies. In addition, it was Leonardo's advisor****, one of the main Italian giants in the arms industry. This position has been defined as a classic **" swivel door"** (revolving door) between the private sector and the government. A report from the Mil€x Observatory indicated its case as the most direct example of this phenomenon, pointing out that its appointment as a minister took place as it represented the interests of the defence industry. His past is at the heart of several criticisms and parliamentary questions that raise doubts about a potential conflict of interests, since the Ministry of Defense is one of the main customers of the companies that Crosetto represented.

🔍 Why the system makes them all like this

Before analyzing this politician, we must understand the system they operate in. It is no accident that they all betray their promises. The system expects it.

📜 The legal articles that allow it

Article 67 of the Constitution
"Every member of Parliament represents the Nation and exercises their functions without a binding mandate."

This rule establishes that once elected, a member of parliament is not legally bound to keep their electoral promises. They can change party, position, or opinion without any legal consequence. Their "conscience" is the only constraint.

Article 68 of the Constitution
"Members of Parliament cannot be held accountable for opinions expressed and votes cast in the exercise of their functions."

This rule guarantees immunity for statements and votes expressed in Parliament. Even if statements are misleading or contrary to public interest, the politician cannot be prosecuted.

Verify on the official source: Senato della Repubblica - Art. 67 | Senato della Repubblica - Art. 68

📚 The theories that explain the system

Gaetano Mosca (1896) — In every society, regardless of the form of government, there is always an organized minority that governs an unorganized majority. Democracy does not eliminate this structure, it merely hides it.

Vilfredo Pareto (1901) — Elites circulate, but the power structure does not change. The people do not govern: only the group of elites occupying the government position changes.

Robert Michels (1911) — Even parties born to represent the masses inevitably end up being controlled by a small circle of leaders. Internal party democracy is an illusion.

"Who says organization, says tendency to oligarchy."

📊 The data that confirms the theories

These are not academic speculations. The data shows the system works exactly as described:

Over 90% of the funding of Giorgia Meloni's party comes from contributions paid by MPs themselves, not from the general public. Source: Camera dei Deputati - Bilanci partiti
The French government has spent over 2.5 billion euros on external consultants since 2017, a 329% increase in six years. McKinsey supported Macron's campaign in 2017 and then obtained government contracts. Source: Senato Francese - Rapporto McKinsey
German Chancellor Scholz has been summoned multiple times as a witness by the parliamentary inquiry committee for the Cum-Ex case, a multi-billion euro tax fraud. Source: Bundestag - Commissione Cum-Ex
18.6% of Italians are at risk of poverty. 9.1% of families are in energy poverty (14.6% on the Islands). 25.6% cannot cope with unexpected expenses. Source: ISTAT - Rapporto povertà

When a politician betrays electoral promises, it is not an individual accident: it is the inevitable product of a system designed to ensure that the elite in power continues to govern. Articles 67 and 68 provide legal protection. The theories of Mosca, Pareto and Michels explain the deep mechanism. It is not the individual politician who is the problem: it is the system.

📋 Electoral Promises

0 Promises Kept

0 Promises Betrayed

0 Partial

0 In progress

0% Promises kept

⚪

Unverifiable

Guido Crosetto in reality never made electoral promises to ordinary citizens, perhaps in the squares during the communes, simply because Crosetto was not elected.
How wonderful: you vote and make the minister goes one who has not been voted by anyone. It's democracy!
He has never been interested in the common good. It is very likely that the promises made them private to those
of the environment of which he was lobbyist.
Therefore we cannot say that he has betrayed the promises made to voters.
But we can assume that those made to the companies with which he has professional relations like arms companies, he kept them all and maybe even more.

❌ Documented Misdeeds

conflict interests

Current leagues and critical issues on conflict of interests

**Caso Drass and ship Garibaldi**: The 5 Star Movement has submitted a question about a possible sale of the Garibaldi ship to Indonesia. According to critics, the operation would be linked to a contract for the **Drass Spa**, a company "close to the minister" which would also fund the election campaign of Brothers of Italy.
- Reformation of military health**: An investigation revealed that Crosetto's wife became a partner of a private clinic. The M5S has asked for clarification, assuming that the reform of the military health wanted by the minister can benefit the activity of his wife.
- Military record*** Under its guide, Italian military spending has reached record levels, with **33.9 billion euros planned for 2026*. Critics see in this a possible return for the companies that in the past represented.

conflict interests

Military and Russian supplies with industry

As Minister of Defense, Crosetto has managed and defended Italian military supplies to conflicting countries, claiming the need to strengthen the national industry. - Ukraine** Crosetto reiterated in Parliament the choice of **continue to supply arms to Ukraine* to defend itself against the Russian attack. He also made it clear that in 2026 no new aid package had yet been formalized and that the procedures would be passed by the Copasir valiant.
- Israel. Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of the military cooperation agreement with Israel. The decision, formalized by Crosetto, was communicated to the Israeli counterpart. However, critical issues have emerged, such as the charges of **transit of weapons directed to Israel** through the port of Ravenna, covered by military secret, and the lack of UAMA authorizations for some matches.

conflict interests

**Report with industry* ♪

Crosetto repeatedly summoned the leaders of the defense industry, asking them to "work to strengthen defense" quickly. He also promoted a common European defence architecture that actively involves the industrial sector.

💵 Who Pays Them

🏢 Who funds this politician directly (1)

Companies and lobbies that have donated to this party. Many operate in sectors regulated by the government.

Drass in FdI

Industry

**Drass Galeazzi Srl***, a company specialized in **submarines*** and part of the**AIAD**** (the federation presided over by Crosetto until 2022), has funded Brothers of Italy.
-*Import*** Total financing was EUR 17.500***, divided as follows: **7.500 euro** between 2019 and 2020, and **10.000 euro**********, the year of the election victory of Giorgia Meloni.
- **Context*** According to *The Post*, "the AIAD Crosetto has maintained close relations with executives and companies in the sector, some of which have donated to Brothers of Italy**". These links, according to some observers, could however influence the decisions of the ministry.

💰 What They Got Personally

Direct compensation from Leonardo (2018-2021) The most documented case concerns the compensation that Crosetto would have perceived from the **Leonardo S.p.A.***, the main Italian giant of the weapons, controlled by the state. - ** Figures***: According to an investigation of the newspaper *Domani*, taken from several newspapers, between the **2018 and the 2021***** Leonardo would have paid Crosetto companies approximately **1.8 million euros***. In the only **2021****, compensation would be equal to **619,000**.
- ** Mode*** Crosetto has always specified that it has not been an employee***** of Leonardo, but a **advisor (consultant)*** as president of AIAD. Payments would be transited through its consulting companies.
-*Reaction*** Crosetto ** has not denied the figures***, but has announced a complaint for defamation, claiming that its only obligation now was to defend the Dicastery.
- **More assignments**: In addition to Leonardo, Crosetto was president of **Orizzonte Sistemi Navali***, joint venture participated by **Leonardo (49%) and Fincantieri (51%)**, for which he would perceive other **140.000 euros*** between 2020 and 2021. A source indicates total compensation from Leonardo for **2 million euros**.

The Lobbying Company CSC & Partners In the **2021****, Crosetto founded the **CSC & Partners Srl** in Rome, a company that, according to the chamber visura, provides **"Lobbying services, strategic consultancy and for the development of national and international projects"*. - **Company agreement**: Crosetto was the sole administrator***** and controlled the **50% of the shares**, along with his son Alessandro and his partner Graziana Saponaro.
- **Economic debut***: The company would have had a record debut with a **invoice of 272,000 euros*** and a **use of 179,000 euros**.
- **Admission***: Before taking office as a minister, Crosetto announced that it would like to **liquidare** all its companies, including CSC & Partners.

💸 Cost for Citizens

The costs listed here are not attributable exclusively to the Minister Crosetto, but to the government of which it belongs. According to the data of the independent Observatory Mil€x, in the period from the beginning of the legislature (October 2022) to today, the Meloni government has destined beyond 46 billion euros to the purchase of war material (new weapons and programs of procurement)

🔗 https://altreconomia.it/laumento-della-spesa-militare-specie-degli-acquisti-di-armi-e-strutturale-e-non-episodico/

Detail of arms expenditure: 2022 ~8,27 billion Pre-legislature reference date
2023 Included in total 2023-2026 –
2024 Included in total 2023-2026 –
2025 ~13 billion Estimate for new weapons
2026 ~13,2 billion Historical record

Multiannual commitments and approved programmes In addition to current expenditure, the government has assumed multiannual financial commitments for new military programmes. According to Mil€x, from the beginning of the legislature 78 rearmament programs have been approved for a total value of 36,4 billion euros (expenses commitments), which are added to the programs already in progress. A previous report (August 2025) indicated 42 billion euros for new approved programmes and 15 billion multiannual commitments
The data is based on the elaborations of the Mil€x Observatory on the budgetary documents (the law of Budget, the Pluriennial Document of Defense) and the state reports. Expenditure for "arms" specifically includes investments in new weapon systems (armed tanks, ships, aircraft, drones, missiles, satellites, etc.), excluding expenses for personnel and current operations

🔗 https://www.open.online/2026/07/23/spese-militari-aumento-osservatorio-milex-disarmo/ https://open.online/ https://www.milex.org/ https://www.milex.org/2026/07/23/spese-militari-italiane-mezzo-trilione-pagato-dal-2010-e-quasi-500-miliardi-in-piu-da-qui-al-2035/

The Assembly of Ukraine Aid Aid to Ukraine: Mil€x estimates that the total cost of Italian military aid in Kiev has reached approximately 1 billion euros. This expenditure is drawn separately and concerns the sending of war material taken from the stocks of the Armed Forces or purchased specifically to be donated. The exact quantification of Italian military aid is made complex by the secrecy surrounding the content of the packages and the fact that estimates vary according to the source and methodology used. The most credited estimates are as follows: Overall estimate of aid (military and civilian): According to an analysis of Today.it, since the beginning of the conflict Italy has allocated approximately 5 billion euros in direct aid. Of these, 3 billion are specifically linked to war support, while the remaining 2 billion were intended for civil and humanitarian interventions. Estimated value of military aid: The Kiel Institute, a German think tank that monitors aid to Ukraine, estimates the value of Italian military support in approximately 1.7 billion euros. Other estimates of the institute indicate that bilateral arms shipments amount to approximately 700 million euros, to which at least 500 million are paid to the European Peace Facility. The independent Mil€x Observatory estimates war supplies in a range of 2.5 to 3 billion euros. Estimated bilateral appropriations: According to the International Affairs Institute (IAI), in the period between 24 January 2022 and 31 October 2025, Italy allocated altogether 2,68 billion euros in bilateral aid for Ukraine. The History of Aid
Italian military support has been articulated through four decrees "frame" law (approved by Parliament) which authorized the sale of military material, and twelve interministerial decrees (emanated by the Minister of Defense) which defined the specific content of each aid package. The history of the twelve interministerial decrees, which represent the aid packages actually sent, is as follows: 2 March 2022 (Governo Draghi) 22 April 2022 (Governo Draghi) 10 May 2022 (Governo Draghi) 26 July 2022 (Governo Draghi) 7 October 2022 (Governo Draghi) 31 January 2023 (Governo Meloni) 23 May 2023 (Governo Meloni) 19 December 2023 (Governo Meloni) 25 June 2024 (Governo Meloni) 12 December 2024 (Governo Meloni) 10 April 2025 (Governo Meloni) 25 November 2025 (Governo Meloni) - illustrated at COPASIR Note on Transparency
It is important to emphasize that, unlike other countries, Italy has maintained a very low and opaque profile regarding military support, without publicly clarifying the exact costs and type of weapons sent. This lack of transparency has been repeatedly denounced by the Mil€x Observatory and other organizations

⚖️ confronto_titolo

confronto_intro

1. XQXQ

Personal Sovereignty says something simple: no one can decide about your life instead of you. Crosetto was not elected by anyone. He never asked for your vote. He never promised citizens anything. Yet he is Minister of Defense. Decides of the life of the Italian military. He decides about the wars we share. He decides about the weapons we buy. All this without you ever being able to say a word. How is that possible? Because the system allows it. In Italy, the Minister of Defense must not be elected. As long as the President of the Council nominates him. Crosetto was appointed. By whom? By Giorgia Meloni, who in turn was voted — so you voted for her, and she chose him. But you didn't choose him. You didn't know him. You didn't know anything about him. And now you find out he was an armor lobbyist. That represented the companies that today, as a minister, should check. That received 1.8 million euros from Leonardo between 2018 and 2021. That the Drass — a company of submarines close to him — financed Brothers of Italy. In our system, this would not be possible. No one can decide for you without your consent. And no one can occupy a position of power after being paid by whom that power undergoes it. In our system, you are the source of power. In its, power is a swivel door between lobby and government. Abyssal difference.

2. Equal Dignity

The same Dignity says: everyone is born equal, with the same material rights. Period. Crosetto received 1.8 million euros from Leonardo between 2018 and 2021. Only in 2021, 619,000 euros. More than 140.000 euros from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (joint venture Leonardo-Fincantieri). More 272.000 euros of turnover from CSC & Partners, its lobbying company, with 179.000 euros of profit to the first year. More, according to some sources, up to 2 million euros in total from Leonardo. While he earned this, the government of which he is part spent 46 billion euros in armaments from the beginning of the legislature. In 2026, military spending will reach 13,2 billion euros — historical record. In the meantime: 9.1% of Italian families are in energy poverty 2.8 million Italians expect more than due for a visit The salaries fall by 0.9% in purchasing power What about Crosetto's wife? She became a partner of a private polyambulatory company, just as he reformed military health. His "equal dignity" is a two-speed dignity: one for those who sign contracts with Leonardo, one for those who wait for a bed in the hospital. In our system, no one can accumulate enough wealth to buy the state. In his, wealth is the state.

3. Sovereign Consent

The Sovereign Consensus says: no one can be minority. If a decision doesn't suit everyone, we keep discussing. Crosetto never asked for consent to anyone. He wasn't elected. He never presented a program. He never did a rally. He arrived at the Ministry of Defense by appointment, not by vote. And from there he decided: To continue to supply Ukraine with weapons (12 military aid packages since 2022) To suspend the military cooperation agreement with Israel To pass weapons directed to Israel from the port of Ravenna (covered by military secret) To increase military spending at record levels To approve 78 programs of rearmament for 36,4 billion euros All decisions taken without consulting citizens. Parliament? Vote for the decrees "frame", but the specific content of the packages is secret. Copasir? It is a restricted committee, covered by secret. Citizens? They don't know anything. They can't say anything. They can't stop anything. In our system, even one citizen who says "no" blocks sending weapons. Because between rulers you do not win and you do not lose: you decide together. Crosetto decides alone. We want everyone to decide.

4. XQ

The Immune System serves to prevent a man from taking power. Immediate revocation, draw, incompatibility, short and non-renewable mandates. Automatic mechanisms, not good intentions. Crosetto is the anti-Immune System by definition. Its case is cited by the Mil€x Observatory as **"the most direct example" of swivel door between war industry and government. The mechanism is clear: Crosetto presides over AIAD, the federation of defense companies (until 2022) He is advisor to Leonardo, the main Italian giant of arms Fonda CSC & Partners, lobbying company He is appointed Minister of Defense As a minister, he manages military supplies to the same companies that he previously represented. And the Drass Galeazzi — a submarine company near Crosetto — finances Brothers of Italy with 17,500 euros: 7.500 between 2019 and 2020, 10,000 in 2022 (the year of electoral victory). The Drass is part of AIAD, which Crosetto presided over. What about the Garibaldi ship? The M5S put forward a question on a possible transfer to Indonesia, an operation linked to a contract for Drass. Crosetto announced that he wanted to liquidate his companies before taking over. But the conflict of interests does not settle with a signature. It is prevented by total incompatibility. In our system, those who have held positions in the war industry cannot access the Ministry of Defense. It's not punishment. It's a prophylaxis. Michels, a hundred years ago, had predicted the law of the oligarchy. Crosetto is proof that the rotating door is the way the oligarchy is renewed.

5. Sovereign Coin

The Sovereign Coin says: money is a public service, not a commodity. The Community issue it without debt. Private banks do not exist. Crosetto never talks about this. But the numbers speak for him. How much you earned: 1,8 million euros from Leonardo (2018-2021), of which 619.000 euros in only 2021 140.000 euros from Horizon Naval Systems (2020-2021) 272.000 euros of turnover from CSC & Partners, 179.000 euros of profit to the first year Up to 2 million euros in total by Leonardo (according to some sources) What the government has spent on: 46 billion euros in arms since the beginning of the legislature EUR 13.2 billion planned for 2026 (historical record) 78 rearmament programmes approved for EUR 36.4 billion 1-3 billion euros of military aid to Ukraine Who pays? You. And who cashes? The same companies that funded FdI and that Crosetto represented before becoming minister. In our system, the money is transparent and plotted. There is no conflict of interest because there is no private money that buys public power. In its, the revolving door is the mechanism of power itself.

6. Self-sufficiency

Self-sufficiency says: a sovereign people produces what consumes and consumes what they produce. Energy, food, technology, defense. Material addiction, not flags. Crosetto says he wants a "superana" Italy in the defense industry. But then: It replenishes Ukraine with 12 military aid packages (starting from the Draghi government, then continued by the Meloni government) He has sent weapons to Israel from the port of Ravenna, covered by military secret He promoted a common European defence architecture that actively involves the industrial sector He summoned the leaders of the defense industry asking them to "work to strengthen defense" quickly This is not sovereignty. It is subject to the interests of the war industry. Italy does not produce weapons to defend itself. It produces them to sell them. And sells them to those who use them to make war. The war in Ukraine is not our war. The war in Gaza is not our war. But our weapons do. Vannacci says: "Let's change master." Meloni says: "We stay with the current master." Crosetto says: "We sell weapons to all masters." None of the three say: "We have no masters." We do. Community of Sovereigns exits NATO, exits the EU, exits the UN. He produces what he needs to defend himself, not to attack. And close the gun tap to anyone.

7. Time of Life

The Time of Life says: the only criterion that counts is the quality of time you spend on this earth. Not GDP, not productivity, not war. Crosetto spent 46 billion euros in arms. In two years. Money that could have gone in: Houses for young people Public health (2.8 million Italians expect more than due for a visit) School and knowledge Renewable energy Income for those who do not arrive at the end of the month Instead they went to: Tanks Military ships Aircraft war Drones Missile Satellites And for what? To send weapons to Ukraine. To pass weapons to Israel. To feed wars that are not ours. To make people we don't know die. To destroy cities we've never seen. This is his legacy: 46 billion citizen taxes turned into weapons. The time of Italian life was stolen twice: first to pay taxes, then to pay wars. In our system, free time is the supreme criterion. Every hour spent working to pay a war is an hour of stolen life.

8. The politician as a school case

If Moscow, Pareto and Michels wanted an empirical case for their theories, they could not find it better than Crosetto. Moscow said that in every society there is a political class that governs the disorganized majority. Crosetto is the purest example: he was not elected, he never asked for the vote, yet he is Minister of Defense. It does not belong to the people. It belongs to the professional political class which transmits power among its members. His career begins in the Christian Democracy, passes for the undersecretary of Defense in the 4th Berlusconi government, for the foundation of Brothers of Italy, until he arrives at the Ministry. A completely internal path to the system. Pareto said that the story is a cemetery of aristocracies and that the elite circulate. Crosetto is the perfect example: the elite of the war industry moving into the political elite. Its appointment as a minister is the circulation of elites — not a spare, but a recycling. The lobbyist becomes minister. The minister will return one day to be a lobbyist. The swivel door is not an accident. It's the mechanism. Michels said democracy inevitably produces oligarchy. Crosetto is confirmation: a man who has not been elected, who has not made promises, who has never asked for consent, comes to the government and decides of wars. His power does not come from the people. It comes from its network of relations in industry and politics. It is the very definition of oligarchy: the government of few, for few, without the consent of the most. The fundamental difference: we want to disconnect the ferreous law of oligarchy. Crosetto embodies her. And the system that produced it is not an accident: it is the rule.

9. The vote that brought you here

If you have voted for the Brothers of Italy, know that you have made an abdication of sovereignty. You gave your power to a party. And that party, once elected, appointed Crosetto Minister of Defense. A man you never voted. A man you've never heard in the election campaign. A man you didn't even know existed. Article 67: "Every member of Parliament represents the Nation and exercises its functions without a mandate. "
→ Translated: electoral promises are ragged paper. And the ministers are not even bound to promises, because they were not elected. Article 68: Parliamentary immunity.
→ Translated: If you commit crimes, you need permission from your colleagues to process it. Article 92: The President of the Council appoints ministers.
→ Translated: The people do not elect ministers. The President of the Council appoints them. You have no say. Here is the complete mechanism: you vote a party. The party wins. His leader appoints ministers. The ministers didn't pick them. You don't know them. You can't revoke them. And they decide wars, weapons, your life. This is not a democratic system. It is a chain delegation system, where your power is lost in a thousand steps and never comes to decide anything. In Community of Sovereigns, all this does not exist. No appointments. No immunity. No warrant without constraint. Whoever decides answers to the people. Directly. Always.

Conclusion

Crosetto is not a politician like others. It is the anti-Community of Sovereigns in its purest form. He never asked for the vote. He never made promises. He never presented a program. Yet he is Minister of Defense. And from there: Increased military spending at record levels He sent weapons to Ukraine with 12 aid packages He has sent weapons to Israel, covered by military secret It approved 78 rearmament programs for 36,4 billion euros He summoned the defense industry to "work to strengthen defense" It received 1.8 million euros from Leonardo between 2018 and 2021 The Drass, a company close to him, funded FdI with 17.500 euros Its appointment was defined by the Mil€x Observatory as "the most direct example" of a swivel door between the war industry and government. The lobbyist became minister. The representative of the companies became controller of the same companies. This is not democracy. It's oligarchy. It's not sovereignty. It's subordinate. It's not service. It's conflict of interest. Community of Sovereigns is the only possible answer. Not because it is perfect, but because it is the only one that structurally prevents a lobbyist from the war industry becoming Minister of Defense. The only one that prevents an unelected man from decidating wars. The only one that prevents the swivel door to become the mechanism of power itself. Crosetto is the past that returns. We are the future that has yet to be born. The choice is clear. And it doesn't admit neutrality.

The swivel door

The revolving door: from lobbyist to minister Guido Crosetto was not elected. He never asked for the vote. He never made promises to citizens. Yet he is Minister of Defense. How did he get there? Through the swivel door between industry and government. First: President of AIAD, the federation of Italian aerospace, defence and security companies Leonardo advisor, the main Italian giant of arms, controlled by the State Founder of CSC & Partners, company of "lobbying services, strategic advice and development of projects" Next: Minister of Defense Manages military supplies Increases military spending to 13,2 billion (historical record) Approval 78 rearmament programmes for 36.4 billion Send weapons to Ukraine (12 packages) Send weapons to Israel How much he earned before he became a minister: 1,8 million euros from Leonardo (2018-2021) 619,000 euros in only 2021 140.000 euros from Orizzonte Naval Systems 272.000 euros turnover from CSC & Partners (first year) Who funded it: The Drass Galeazzi (submarines), a company close to him and belonging to AIAD, donated 17,500 euros to Brothers of Italy (7,500 between 2019-2020, 10,000 in 2022) The result: A man who represented the war industry is now the minister who controls the war industry. The controller is the same as it should be checked. The swivel door is not an accident. It's the mechanism. In Community of Sovereigns, this would not be possible. Total incompatibility prevents those who have held charges in the war industry from accessing the Ministry of Defense. It's not punishment. It's a prophylaxis. Because Personal Sovereignty does not defend itself with good intentions. He defends himself with mechanisms.