Europe 1 with AFP
modified to
6:47 p.m., October 21, 2022
Giorgia Meloni, who with her post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia won a historic victory in the legislative elections, was officially appointed Prime Minister on Friday, the first woman to hold this post in Italy. The 45-year-old Roman, who managed to “de-demonize” her party to come to power exactly a century after Mussolini, has with her coalition partners, the populist leader of the Anti-Migrant League Matteo Salvini, the declining leader of Forza Italia Silvio Berlusconi, of the absolute majority both in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate.
Giorgia Meloni, 45, presented in the wake of her appointment the composition of her government, which will be sworn in on Saturday morning at 0800 GMT under the golds of the Quirinal Palace in front of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The list of ministers reflects his desire to reassure Rome’s partners. Former President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, a member of Forza Italia, is appointed to Foreign Affairs, and Giancarlo Giorgetti, a representative of the moderate wing of the League already a minister in the outgoing government of Mario Draghi, takes the crucial portfolio of Economy.
Cracks
At a time when the third-largest economy in the euro zone, like its neighbours, is facing a difficult economic situation due to the energy crisis and inflation, Giorgia Meloni’s task promises to be difficult, especially as she will have to ensure the unity of his coalition which is already showing cracks. Matteo Salvini and Berlusconi are reluctant to accept the authority of Giorgia Meloni, whose party won 26% of the vote in the September 25 elections, against only 8% for Forza Italia and 9% for the League.
The media have echoed the multiple passes of arms between the three leaders on the distribution of positions in Parliament and in the government. An Atlanticist herself and in favor of support for Ukraine against Russia, Ms Meloni had to face this week the controversial remarks of Mr Berlusconi, who claimed to have “reconnected” with Vladimir Putin and blamed kyiv for the war.
Statements of the worst effect while the coming to power of this predominantly Eurosceptic coalition is closely followed by the chancelleries. Giorgia Meloni felt compelled to correct the situation on Wednesday by saying that Italy is “fully part and with its head held high” of Europe and NATO.
“God, fatherland, family”
Talented speaker, Ms. Meloni, a conservative Christian hostile to LGBT + rights with the motto “God, fatherland, family”, however promised not to touch the law authorizing abortion. Giorgia Meloni and his ministers will have to focus on the many challenges, mainly economic, that await them. Inflation in the peninsula increased in September by 8.9% over one year and Italy risks entering a technical recession next year, alongside Germany. Room for maneuver is limited by a colossal debt representing 150% of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest ratio in the euro zone after Greece.
The European Council on Friday paid tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who himself reaffirmed his country’s European commitment: “everyone considers the EU to be a source of security, stability and peace: we must keep her in mind as the North Star for the future, especially in difficult times like these”.
A notorious Eurosceptic, Ms Meloni has given up campaigning for an exit from the euro, but she has promised to defend her country’s interests more in Brussels. And this while growth depends on nearly 200 billion euros in grants and loans from the European Union as part of its post-pandemic recovery fund. Stuck between the hammer of her “allies” and the anvil of Brussels and the markets, Giorgia Meloni already seems on the razor’s edge even before taking office, almost a tradition in a country known for its chronic governmental instability.