From relations with Donald Trump to the fate of Alberto Trentini, from the negotiations for the end of the war in Ukraine to the devastating tragedy of Crans-Montana, passing through Greenland, the referendum on justice, the former Ilva, the housing plan and economic growth: these are some of the topics addressed by the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of press conference “end of year” – which has become “beginning of year” in the last two years –, organised by the National Council ofOrder of Journalists in collaboration with the Parliamentary Press Association.
A conference started with a controversy between the prime minister and the journalists Those present, upon her entrance into the parliamentary group chamber, raised a banner highlighting the journalists' contract, which has been awaiting renewal since 2016. "What I saw was a scene that has never happened before. I don't want it to appear as if it were a protest against the Prime Minister's office: we are not responsible for the renewal of journalists' contracts," Meloni stated piquedly. She also recalled the government's commitment to the safety of journalists sent to war zones, promising "funds to Radio Radicale" and to "follow the Gedi affair to safeguard jobs." Another tense moment occurred when the prime minister referred to the newspaper's alleged scoop. Tomorrow on the registration of his house, speaking of "lies and defamatory accusations". In the almost three-hour conference there was also room for a few jokes, especially when talking about his future and his possible Quirinale aspirations: "I don't know why he never suggests going to work with Fiorello for a fee“which is what I would like to do,” Meloni joked.
Venezuela and Alberto Trentini
The first topic addressed at the press conference could only be the release of prisoners by Venezuela and the hopes for Alberto Trentini. “The government has been dealing with this matter for 400 days, Trentini is not the only Italian detained. We will not stop dealing with this issue until Alberto Trentini's "mother" can hug her son," the Prime Minister said. "I greet with joy" the release of the two Italians in Venezuela, Meloni said referring to the entrepreneur Luigi Gasperin and the opposition politician Biagio Pilieri. “I I'm confidentI consider the Venezuelan president's signal to be of great value. We welcome it; it could represent a turning point in relations between Italy and Venezuela," he added.
Greenland: "I don't believe in U.S. military action and I wouldn't support it."
Following repeated threats from US President Donald Trump, the Prime Minister also addressed the Greenland topic. “I don't believe in the hypothesis that the US will start a military action on Greenland, which I wouldn't share" and "that would not be convenient for anyone, not even the United States." "The possibility of an intervention to take control of Greenland has been ruled out by Rubio and Donald Trump himself. I believe that the Trump administration with its very assertive methods is placing attention on theGreenland's strategic importance for its interests and its security. It is an area in which many foreign actors operate, and I believe the message from the US is that it will not accept excessive interference from foreign actors,” Prime Minister Meloni said at the conference at the beginning of the year, stressing that the issue must be addressed at NATO level.It's a topic that concerns us too. We should be interested in what that area can represent. NATO too. has established that area as a priority. NATO must initiate a debate serious,” he concluded.
Meloni and her relations with Trump and Mattarella
Answering a question about her relationship with the US president, Meloni admitted: “There are many things I disagree with Trump on, For example, I believe that international law must be fully defended. When I disagree, I tell him, I have no problem. If you spoke to my partners, you would know this very well too. What is being asked of Italy? To distance itself from the US? Perhaps to leave NATO, take away American military bases, attack McDonald's? This is geopolitics, and when you take positions in geopolitics, you are then consistent,” the prime minister said.
From relations with Trump to those with the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella: “My relations with the Quirinal, especially with the President of the Republic, they are greatThe President of the Republic and I don't always agree, but there's one thing that makes the difference: the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, is there when it comes to defending national interests. This is true for everything. He cares, he helps strengthen national interests." This is what Prime Minister Meloni said. "On internal issues the positions” are not always convergent, “but we collaborate "Excellently. I see a story that differs from the reality I experience. I often see a construction that leads to describing problems when there aren't any. When we disagree, we always find solutions," he concluded.
Ukraine: "Sending troops is unnecessary, Europe must talk to Russia."
“I don't agree with the reference, it's a reading that I consider a little biased”, said the tenant of Palazzo Chigi answering the questions of a journalist who was talking about Salvini's Putinian veto to sending troops to Ukraine. "I have already said on various occasions that the debates taking place within the majority, particularly on Russia and Ukraine, are not debates between pro-Russians and Ukrainians, between pro-Americans and I don't know exactly what... I have always thought that puppets have the strings, while politicians do not have them," said Meloni, who therefore defended the League leader, while saying she was struck by "certain criticisms and certain hopes" coming "from a former general," she declared, referring to Roberto Vannacci who has been hoping for days that the Ukraine 2026 decree will not pass through Parliament. The majority "is solid but we are not a barracks,” she then added, explaining that she did not see the “risk of tensions, the debate is there and will be there. I am proud of the deputy prime ministers.”
Returning to Ukraine, "there is no option on the ground today with a UN umbrella and what is being talked about is a multinational force within the coalition of the willing to strengthen Ukrainian defense. The reason why I don't think it's necessary to send soldiers It's because the main instrument for peace guarantees is Article 5 of NATO, that's the main form of guarantee for Ukraine. Then sending soldiers could be an idea, I don't question those who want to do it, but I don't consider it necessary. I thought there was almost unanimity in Parliament on this, now I read that someone in the Democratic Party has changed their mind, if they formalize a proposal in Parliament".
Meloni then explained that in her opinion “Macron is right. The time has come for Europe to talk to Russia" on the subject of war, "otherwise the contribution is limited. But who should do it? We must not proceed in a scattered manner, otherwise we would be doing Putin a favor, she stated. "I have always been in favor of a appointment of a special envoy” on Ukraine, the Prime Minister observed, adding that “for now it seems to me Russia's entry into the G8 is premature".
Meloni: "Security and growth are the focus for 2026." Then comes the attack on the judiciary.
The Prime Minister then moved on to internal issues. “We have worked very hard on the safety, clearly the years of laxity are not easy to erase." That said, "the results are not enough for me“, therefore “this is the year in which we change pace and do even more”, Meloni stated during the conference, also announcing the arrival of another provision on the so-called baby gang which will ban the carrying of edged weapons and the online sale of edged weapons and similar items. "Penalties are needed for parents responsible for minors" who use these weapons, he proposed.
“If we want to guarantee security, we all need to work in the same direction: government, police forces and judiciary, which is fundamental in this plan” said the Prime Minister citing some news stories from the last few days, underlining that “often the robes make the work of the police and Parliament useless“An appeal to all work in the same direction can make the difference,” she said, denying however that she had ever made any “attack on the judiciary,” before adding: “Do you want to know what delegitimizes? It's the ANM campaign in the stations, which delegitimizes the magistrates.” The Prime Minister also recalled that the date on which the hearing will be held will be set by January 17. referendum on justice: “I think that the one of the 22-23 March is the most reasonable and probable date."
After a brief reference to the electoral law reform, on which "there are discussions with the opposition, although not necessarily at my level. Parliament is dealing with it", the Prime Minister focused on thesaving: “I always look with caution at the judgments of the rating agencies, which have never been particularly benevolent towards us, even when they speak, as they do today, of a perception that should please us. The most significant data for me is the'employment, encouraging as the one on purchasing power, and as the one on growth, which for me is one of the main focuses of this year", said the Prime Minister, then admitting that "growth is still too low, but it is not a catastrophic scenario". The Prime Minister added that purchasing power has grown in the last year and "we work on wages with tax relief elements such as the contribution wedge, but it is not the only measure. On the issue of wages, when ISTAT gives us the historical series, what is calculated is the gross, but our measures affect the net." "What is needed to encourage growth? Continue to support employment, work for lower energy prices and encourage investments, according to the model of a single ZES for Southern Italy,” said Meloni.
Onhome emergency"We're on the home stretch for the presentation of the housing plan: it's a very broad project we're working on with Minister Salvini, in collaboration with Minister Foti and many intermediate civil society bodies, such as Confindustria. We're working together with the Italian system; it's a project I care deeply about." "The goal," he continued, "is to build one hundred thousand new apartments" at controlled prices "in ten years, net of public housing."
The tenant of Palazzo Chigi also addressed the issue “ex Ilva”. "A negotiation phase is currently underway, but there are no binding commitments from the government until there are clear answers regarding a solid industrial plan, employment, and environmental safety," he said. "No proposal with predatory or opportunistic intent," he continued, "can be endorsed by this government. When there are no announcements, it's because we're dealing with them."
Meloni on Mercosur and banks
In the final part of the press conference the Prime Minister also spoke about the Italy's yes to Mercosur. "I do not have never had an ideological preclusion "We are in favor of the Mercosur agreement. We have always said that we will be in favor of it when there are sufficient guarantees for our farmers," he said.
“The agreement's potential is fine, but not at the expense of the excellence of our products,” so “we have secured different interests, those of farmers and the industrial push. It seems to me that the balance is sustainable and I hope that the agreement can only bring advantages,” added Meloni.
Turning to the banks and responding to a question about criticisms of the government for not being a spectator in the banking game, Meloni said: "These assessments are objectively unfounded, they are market dynamics and we are monitoring market dynamics." "I am not worried about the ongoing investigation, even the prosecutor's office has said that there is nothing illegitimate in the government's actions," the prime minister declared, referring to the Milan investigation into MPS-Mediobanca. Finally, on third pole: “I think it would be useful to the system, but I believe the government does not have the power and authority to intervene.”
Meloni on Crans-Montana: "It's not a disaster, they were just looking to make easy money."
“The State Attorney's Office, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council, has contacted the Swiss Prosecutor's Office and the Rome Prosecutor's Office to follow the investigations, which has also opened a file: we are ready to provide families with all the necessary assistance to ensure that they can get justice, the families have my word, they will not be left alone", said the Prime Minister regarding the New Year's Eve tragedy in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which received a round of applause at the opening.
“What happened it's not a disgrace, It's the result of too many people not doing their job or they thought they would make easy money. "Responsibilities must be identified and prosecuted," Meloni said with conviction. "I read about a video of the owner of the club running away with the cash register. If this is true, we must be relentless," she added.
