“Italy is a great democratic country and I must reiterate that she can take care of herself, in compliance with its Constitution". These are the words used by the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, after the rambling sentences used yesterday by the billionaire Elon Musk who wrote on X, a social network he owns, “These judges need to go.” The comment concerned the decision of the Rome Court to suspend the validation of the detention of migrants arriving in Albania in the Albanian center of Gjader, placing everything in the hands of the European Court of Justice.
After over 24 hours of silence a first, timid, reaction from the Government also arrives. The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni he does not speak directly, but sources at Palazzo Chigi leak a comment: "We always listen with great respect to the words of the President of the Republic."
Mattarella's appeal: "Everyone must respect the country's sovereignty"
“Italy is a great democratic country and I must reiterate, with the words used on another occasion, on 7 October 2022, that 'she knows how to take care of herself while respecting her Constitution'”. Two years ago the head of state had uttered similar words after the French minister Laurence Boone had said, commenting on Giorgia Meloni's victory: “We will keep an eye on Italy”.
“Anyone, particularly if, as announced, they are about to assume an important government role in a friendly and allied country, must respect its sovereignty and cannot take on the task of giving it prescriptions“, wrote the President of the Republic in a note.
Musk, in fact, is not only a billionaire who owns companies such as Tesla, Space X, Starlink and X, but just a few hours ago he officially joined the administration of President-elect (also thanks to his support) Donald Trump. From January 20, Musk will lead the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) who will be responsible for cutting spending by federal agencies.
The attack on Italian judges therefore does not come from a private citizen, but from a man who – as Mattarella recalled – is about to “assume an important government role” in the USA.
But Musk is fooling around and upping the ante
Elon Musk, however, does not intend to back down and after yesterday's post, on X he doubles down: "This is unacceptable. The Italian people live in a democracy or Is it an unelected autocracy that makes the decisions?“, he wrote in response to a follower who stressed that “the Meloni government in Italy will not be allowed to expel illegal immigrants”.
The reactions
"It is embarrassing that the self-styled sovereignists of our country are allowing their line to be dictated by an American billionaire like Musk. His repeated outbursts against the Italian judiciary are an unacceptable attack on a constitutional body. What is Meloni waiting for to defend national sovereignty?", wrote on Instagram secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein.
"Once again it is Mattarella with a perfect and timely intervention who saves the dignity of the nation. Thank you President", wrote the leader of Azione Carlo Calenda.
“With a shamefully submissive and silent sovereignist government, it is up to the president to respond to unheard-of interference. He does so with words worthy of applause,” he said Pier Luigi Bersani.
Some comments also come from the centre-right: John Donzelli, a leading exponent of FdI says: “I also agree with the commas and pauses in Mattarella’s words”.
“It seems to me that President Mattarella has said wise things, in line with the democratic logic and the sovereignty of each individual country,” said the FI group leader in the Chamber Paolo Barelli.
The League is silent, including its leader Matteo Salvini, who often fights against the “interference” of the European Union.
(Last update at 16.09am on November 13th).
