Italy: EU ready to “cooperate” with far-right government of Giorgia Meloni

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Italy’s new far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, stressing that she hoped for “constructive cooperation” with her government. The European Union, initially very cautious about the rise to power of the far right in Italy, said it was ready to “cooperate” with the eurosceptic government of Giorgia Meloni, who was sworn in on Saturday October 22 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. “I am counting on constructive cooperation with the new government, in the face of the challenges that we must face together.” 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 “Let’s work together for the good of Italy and the EU”, for his part wrote the President of the European Council Charles Michel. “Europe needs Italy. Together we will overcome all difficulties,” added the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in a tweet written in Italian. silence from the big capitals Berlin, Paris and Madrid.>> To read also: “Victory of Giorgia Meloni in Italy: a new slap in the face for the EU”The very conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a pet peeve of Brussels, was the one of the only European leaders to congratulate 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 whom we call for”, rejoiced in France Marine Le Pen.”Now, at work”Under the gold of the Roman palace of the Quirinal, Giorgia Meloni and his 24 ministers – including only 6 women – have “sworn to respect the Constitution ion and laws” in front of President Sergio Mattarella.”Here is the government team that, with pride and sense of responsibility, will serve Italy. Now back to work,” Giorgia Meloni then tweeted, accompanied by the official government photo. six-year-old Ginevra.>> To read also: “Elections in Italy: France respects ‘a democratic and sovereign choice'” The 45-year-old Roman, who won a historic victory in the Italian legislative elections on September 25, succeeded in “de-demonizing “her post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia party to come to power exactly a century after the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, of whom she was an admirer. Chigi, seat of government, and will be followed by the first council of ministers. nt of Forza Italia Silvio Berlusconi, of the absolute majority both in the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate. Difficult economic situation The composition of the new government reflects the desire to reassure Rome’s partners, worried about the coming to power in Italy, founding country of Europe, from the most right-wing and Eurosceptic head of government since 1946. 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 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. At a time when the third 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.MM. Salvini and 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. The media echoed the multiple passes of arms between the three leaders on the distribution of positions in Parliament and within the government. by Silvio Berlusconi, who claimed to have “reconnected” with Vladimir Putin and blamed kyiv for the war. and head held high” of Europe and NATO. A talented orator, this conservative Christian hostile to LGBT rights has however promised not to touch the law authorizing abortion. Her government must above all conc enter the many challenges, mainly economic, that await it, starting with inflation and a colossal debt representing 150% of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest ratio in the euro zone after Greece. With AFP