Now, pocketed victory by a large measure in the elections, begins with Giorgia Meloni the most difficult phase, the one that she herself defined as "of responsibility". With the sense of balance that she demonstrated in the last phase of the electoral campaign, the leader of the Brothers of Italy faces the first real obstacle that concerns relations with Brussels and with the chancelleries European.
Melons between tracks and national interest
Reaffirmed (also thanks to the last trip to the USA by the president of Copasir, Adolfo Uso) loyalty to the Atlantic Alliance, is on the ground of the European files that Meloni's ability to mend a relationship that is to say the least problematic will be measured in the coming weeks. It does not escape Meloni the need to follow the tracks already set by previous executives regarding PNRR and Stability Pact, albeit without renouncing that defense to the bitter end "of the national interest" which has always been one of its strong points.
And yet, those close to the European dossiers witnessed with some satisfaction Meloni's trip to Strasbourg a month and a half ago, who in a constructive spirit wanted to deepen some provisions being examined by the European institutions (Parliament, Commission and Council). Its "ambassador" in Europe at the moment is the co-president of the conservative group, Raffaele Fitto, whom increasingly insistent voices indicate as a possible minister for European policies in the new government.
The most critical comments from Paris
Net of the first reactions of the press and the European political world (where the words "fascism" and "Mussolini" have popped up on more than one occasion), the greatest concerns are those expressed by Paris. According to "Le Monde" the result of the last elections in Italy "casts a shadow over the European project". The country, writes the French newspaper, is preparing to “experiment a government dominated by the extreme right”, which represents a “threat to Europe”. French President Emmanuel Macron says he respects the "democratic choice" of Italian citizens in the last elections and "as a neighboring and friendly country, we must continue to work together". But Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne specifies that "France will be attentive to respect for human rights in Italy" after the victory of Meloni's party. “Obviously – he adds – we will be careful, with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, to ensure that these values on human rights, on mutual respect, in particular on respect for right to abortion, are respected by all".
Gozi: maintain firm alliance between Rome and Paris
Italy and France, even with the recently ratified Quirinal Treaty, they created a very strong partnership (like the historic alliance between Paris and Berlin) destined to guide the path of institutional reforms in Europe. But Meloni's victory calls everything into question. He thinks so Sandro Gozi, former undersecretary for European affairs and MEP of Renew Europe, from whom Meloni wanted to remove his citizenship after his candidacy in France for the European elections. “Together with Italy – says Gozi – Macron's France was carrying on a great reformist project; Italy had become France's best ally for forty years; and Meloni's party, on the other hand, was the only one not to ratify the Quirinale Treaty, as well as having positions antipodes to France on rights and abortion”. According to Gozi, the real political crux concerns the role of the EPP, "almost become a bus that allows far-right parties to go to government in Sweden as in Italy". But Gozi also wants to think about the facts: "We'll see if the new government will give positive signals on concrete measures, such as majority voting and the Stability Pact".
First official trip to Brussels in December
On paper, Meloni's first European commitment in Europe is not expected before December European Council. Outgoing Prime Minister Draghi will still be present both at the informal summit of 6 and 7 October in Prague and at the European Council of 20 and 21 October in Brussels. In fact, between the establishment of the new Chambers and the appointment, it will almost certainly arrive in the first days of November. However, informal contacts between Meloni and the heads of the European institutions are not excluded in the next few weeks, always counting on the good offices of the relationships cultivated in recent times by Raffele Fitto.
Gentiloni: continue commitments made with the PNRR
The first problems could arise from the presentation of the 2023 maneuver, which must be presented in Brussels by 16 October. The Commission fears the provisional exercise. The commissioner for economic affairs and former Italian prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni, says he is “confident that the collaboration with the new authorities in Italy will be based on serious positions. What is important is to continue with the commitments that have been made, especially as regards the PNRR. Because – adds Gentiloni – this is a real priority for all member states, and in particular for those with high levels of debt”.
Lagarde: there is not only an antispread shield for Italy
The president of the ECB, Chistine Lagarde, at a hearing in Brussels instead he gets away with a joke: «J'aime les italiens, voilà». To those who ask if Italy can apply the Tpi, Namely the anti-spread shield of the ECB, Lagarde recalls that only countries that comply with the EU regulatory framework on public finances can use it. “It is not an instrument intended for a specific country – he says – it goes from the Baltics to Malta, and Croatia from January XNUMXst. I don't have a specific country in mind." And in any case, he added, "it is not the only tool in the hands of the ECB, we have a variety of tools that we have used since July".
