how far can she go That question seems to be at the heart of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (45). And in multiple directions. She is currently trying to bridge the gap between money and ideology. While she appears exceptionally lenient internationally, especially when it comes to Italy’s finances, internally she sharpens her far-right profile, which won her the election campaign.
And that’s how it works, if you look at her one-month term in office: “Il Presidente”, as Meloni can now be addressed with the masculine form, not only handles financial matters, but also travels to the European Parliament in Brussels or to the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. On the other hand, their ministers and state secretaries regularly arouse indignation among the Italians with ultra-conservative statements.
Italian education minister: “Long live the humiliation”
The Minister of Education and Performance, Giuseppe Valditara (61), announced: “Long live humiliation.” Anyone who makes a mistake deserves shame. Health Secretary Marcello Gemmato, 49, in turn claimed: “There is no evidence that the pandemic would have been worse without a vaccine.” In addition, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi (59) organized an absurd hunt for illegal rave parties. The organizers should be wiretapped and given up to six years in prison, Piantedosi demanded – the punishment for rapists.
The flip side of the policy, which the Spiegel called ‘Outside hui, inside ugh’, can currently be illustrated in the budget law. Meloni sent it to Brussels for review. It will reduce unemployment and social assistance, allow long-term payers to retire at age 62, and expand a “flat tax” for freelancers.
The Prime Minister also slashed billions in fuel subsidies and focused on fighting the energy crisis with available resources. This pleases the wealthy EU donor states from the north, which repeatedly accuse Italy of slow reforms and little fiscal discipline.
What is your course – against or with Europe?
Prime Minister Meloni, who previously often polemicized against Europe, is currently continuing the policy of her predecessor, the former CEO of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi (75). In Europe, he is considered the savior of stability in Italy. This writes the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, and Italy’s foreign policy also paints this picture. Meloni has quietly extended arms supplies to Kiev for a year.
Your political partners will not be happy about that. Shortly after her election, her coalition partner Silvio Berlusconi (86) justified his friend Vladimir Putin (70)’s war of aggression against Ukraine and her deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini (49) criticized the sanctions against Russia.
In the coming weeks it will become clear whether Meloni is pursuing a sustainable “drag” of its policy. Because Brussels is busy cutting several EU billions on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (59) because he undermines the rule of law. How will Meloni behave until Thursday when the final decision is made? Will she side with her like-minded Hungarian friend, and if so, in what form?
Due to her country’s record debt, the Italian Prime Minister herself is dependent on billions in aid from the EU, so she would have no interest in upsetting Brussels and her EU partners.
Tanya von Arx
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
