This party leader and a pair of far-right Italian brothers are launching an international agenda that centers on direct engagement with top EU figures. The plan includes bilateral talks with prominent officials such as Ursula von der Leyen, Michel, and Metsola, reflecting a coordinated effort by senior community leaders to map out shared priorities and approaches. These conversations are framed as essential steps in aligning European policy with Italy’s evolving political and economic agenda, signaling a push toward closer coordination on regional issues that affect all member states.
The Italian government has outlined its forthcoming schedule. Giorgia Meloni is slated to travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in the near term to participate in the United Nations Climate Summit COP27 and to engage in subsequent discussions at the G20 summit in Bali. These high-level appearances are presented as opportunities to strengthen Italy’s international partnerships while highlighting climate and economic policy priorities on the global stage, including energy resilience and international cooperation on climate action.
When pressed about potential meetings with an extremist leader, a spokesperson for the European Commission clarified that the commission maintains an open line with authorities across all member states. The commission does not intervene in internal political life, the spokesperson stated, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to upholding state sovereignty while pursuing common European objectives through dialogue and institutional channels.
Von der Leyen’s team added that there is an intention to foster constructive cooperation with the Italian government, focusing on forthcoming months and the key challenges ahead. These include energy policy measures, ongoing support for Ukraine, and the proper implementation of the Italian national bailout plan within the framework of European funding rules. The aim is to ensure that solidarity and accountability guide policy actions while safeguarding fiscal discipline and strategic investments for recovery.
Earlier this week, in his first address to the Italian Parliament, Meloni signaled a willingness to negotiate adjustments to the recovery strategy with Brussels. The aim is to define clear milestones and reforms that Rome must satisfy to unlock the various tranches of stabilization and crisis-response funds established during the pandemic. The opening signals a more pragmatic approach to aligning national targets with EU expectations, accompanied by a transparent review process for any proposed modifications.
The European Commission subsequently stressed that member states must adhere to agreed recovery plans, and that changes would be considered only in exceptional cases where objective data demonstrates non-compliance. In such scenarios, adjustments would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that any revision remains firmly grounded in measurable outcomes and shared commitments across the union. [EU Officials briefing, 2024]