The European Union, initially reluctant to face the rise to power of the far right in Italy, has said it is ready to “cooperate” with the eurosceptic government of Giorgia Meloni, who was sworn in on Saturday and is due to take office on Sunday. . “Congratulations to Giorgia Meloni on her appointment as Prime Minister, the first woman to hold this post,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.
Congratulations to @GiorgiaMeloni on her appointment as Italian Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the post.
I count on and look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government on the challenges we face together.
—Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 22, 2022
“I am counting on constructive cooperation with the new government, in the face of the challenges that we must face together.” Same story from the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.
The deafening silence of Berlin, Paris and Madrid
These reactions in chorus of the three main European institutions contrasted however with the deafening silence of the great European capitals Berlin, Paris and Madrid. The very conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a pet peeve of Brussels, was one of the only European leaders to be congratulated Giorgia Meloni, hailing “a great day for the European right”.
The European far right was also celebrating: “Across Europe, patriots are coming to power and with them, this Europe of nations that we are calling for”, rejoiced in France Marine Le Pen.
The post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia demonized
It is under the gold of the Roman palace of the Quirinal that Giorgia Meloni and her 24 ministers – including only 6 women – “swore to respect the Constitution and the laws” before President Sergio Mattarella. “Here is the government team which, with pride and a sense of responsibility, will serve Italy. Now to work”, then launched Giorgia Meloni in a tweet accompanied by the official photo of the government.
Ecco la squadra di Governo che, con orgoglio e senso di responsabilità, to serve Italy. Adesso suddenly al lavoro. pic.twitter.com/QnaJ20fqyK
— Giorgia Meloni ن (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 22, 2022
The 45-year-old Roman, who won a historic victory in the September 25 legislative elections, succeeded in “de-demonizing” her post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia to come to power exactly a century after Mussolini, of whom she was an admirer. The transfer of power between Mario Draghi and Giorgia Meloni will take place on Sunday morning and will be followed by the first Council of Ministers.
Inflation and colossal debt
Above all, his government will have to focus on the many challenges, mainly economic, that await him, starting with inflation and a colossal debt representing 150% of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest ratio in the euro zone. after Greece. She has with her coalition partners, the populist leader of the Antimigrant League Matteo Salvini and the declining leader of Forza Italia Silvio Berlusconi, an absolute majority in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
The composition of the new government reflects the desire to reassure Rome’s partners, worried about the coming to power in Italy, the founding country of Europe, of the most right-wing and Eurosceptic head of government since 1946. elections, Ursula von der Leyen had also caused an outcry in Italy by evoking “the instruments” at the disposal of Brussels to sanction possible attacks on the democratic principles of the EU in the event of victory of the far right.
The appointment to Foreign Affairs, with the title of Deputy Prime Minister, of the former President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, a member of Forza Italia, and that of Giancarlo Giorgetti, a representative of the moderate wing of the League, already Minister in the outgoing government of Mario Draghi, for the Economy, should reassure Brussels.
A coalition that shows signs of cracking
At a time when the third largest economy in the euro zone is facing the energy crisis and inflation, Giorgia Meloni’s task promises to be difficult, especially since she will have to ensure the unity of her coalition which is already showing cracks. Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi are reluctant to accept the authority of Giorgia Meloni, whose party won 26% of the vote in the elections, against only 8% for Forza Italia and 9% for the League. An Atlanticist herself and in favor of supporting Ukraine against Russia, Giorgia Meloni had to face this week the controversial remarks of Silvio Berlusconi, who claimed to have “reconnected” with Vladimir Putin and blamed kyiv for the war.
Statements of the worst effect which forced Giorgia Meloni to rectify the situation on Wednesday by affirming that Italy is “fully part and with its head held high” of Europe and NATO. A message heard loud and clear in Washington and kyiv. US President Joe Biden said on Saturday he was “looking forward” to working with Giorgia Meloni “to continue our support for Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable for its aggression”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his part said on Twitter “looking forward to continuing the fruitful cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in Ukraine, Italy and in the world”.