Italy Reviews Pignataro’s Prelios Bid After Ion Buying Spree (1)

The Italian government is reviewing the planned acquisition of Prelios SpA by Andrea Pignataro’s Ion group, as Rome steps up its scrutiny of the tycoon following a string of high-profile deals.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is weighing whether to invoke the “Golden Power” provision — which allows it to block or impose conditions on deals involving strategic assets — for Ion’s agreement to buy the Italian alternative asset manager, people familiar with the matter said.

The possible intervention reflects concern over Ion’s rapidly growing role in the Italian financial sector, the people said, asking not to be named since ...