Stefano Donnarumma has resigned as CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Italy’s state-owned railway group. His departure comes after months of tensions with the government led by Giorgia Meloni, amid repeated delays and disruptions on the Italian rail network.
The Board of Directors of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), Italy’s state-owned railway group, has acknowledged the resignation of Stefano Antonio Donnarumma from his positions as CEO and managing director of the company.
FS has not officially stated the reason for his departure. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group said it would take the necessary measures to ensure the continuity of its governance and operations.
Donnarumma had been appointed to lead FS in June 2024, having previously headed Terna, Italy’s electricity transmission network operator.
Tensions with the Government in Rome
The resignation comes after months of tensions between FS’s leadership and the government led by Giorgia Meloni. According to Reuters, relations deteriorated amid recurring disruptions and delays on the Italian rail network, many of which were related to maintenance and modernization work.
The government was also reportedly dissatisfied with some of Donnarumma’s strategic decisions, including the integration of certain companies in the railway sector and his intention to attract foreign funds for investments in the group’s high-speed segment.
The Italian press notes that the resignation was made official following a meeting with Matteo Salvini, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.
In recent days, other changes have also taken place at the top of the FS Group. According to the Italian press, Chief Financial Officer Fabio Paris is set to join Open Fiber, and two members of the Board of Directors, Tiziana De Luca and Caterina Belletti, have also submitted their resignations. Belletti has been appointed to lead FS International.
Trenitalia, a Possible Stepping Stone for a Successor
The favorite to take over as head of FS is Gianpiero Strisciuglio, the current head of Trenitalia, the passenger rail operator within the FS Group.
Trenitalia is one of the group’s most important companies, operating high-speed, intercity, and regional services in Italy. A potential appointment of Strisciuglio would keep FS leadership within the Italian railway system at a time when the group is under political and operational pressure.
FS has stated that it remains committed to implementing its industrial plan, ensuring operational continuity, and fully executing investment programs for the country’s mobility infrastructure.
Delays, Construction, and Public Pressure
The leadership change at FS comes during a difficult period for Italian rail transport. The network is undergoing extensive modernization work, much of it linked to programs funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
This work has caused delays and disruptions, affecting both regional trains and long-distance services. Against this backdrop, pressure on FS’s leadership has increased, and the government has demanded faster results and more efficient management of investments.
Donnarumma led the group for less than two years, during a period marked by major infrastructure projects and discussions regarding the development of the high-speed segment.
The Viareggio Case Brings Safety Back to the Forefront
The resignation also comes at a sensitive time for the Italian railway sector, after the Italian Supreme Court upheld convictions in the case of the 2009 Viareggio train accident.
In that accident, which occurred after a freight train carrying LPG derailed, 32 people died. The court’s decision includes the conviction of the former CEO of FS, Mauro Moretti, which brings the issue of rail safety and managerial responsibility back into the spotlight.
Although the two cases are not directly linked, the timing heightens the pressure on the FS group, which is caught between the need for rapid modernization, safety requirements, and political expectations regarding service quality.
A Change with Political Implications
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane is one of Italy’s most important public groups, playing a central role in rail transport, infrastructure, logistics, and urban mobility. Given its size and ongoing investment programs, FS’s leadership faces significant political stakes.
Donnarumma’s departure could usher in a period of restructuring within the group’s governance, at a time when the Meloni government is seeking tighter control over major state-owned companies.
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