Giorgia Meloni returned to the political stage with messages aimed at both external and internal audiences. After a period when his annual press conference was postponed twice for health reasons, the Italian prime minister spoke at length to the media in Rome. He used the moment to defend several recent geopolitical positions, including a shift away from the Chinese Silk Road, signaling a clear Atlanticist alignment. He also indicated a willingness to test internal boundaries, signaling that he could deviate from the party line if necessary within Brothers of Italy. The coming year’s strategy is expected to be complex, shaped by the international context and the European elections scheduled for June.
In parallel, the far-right leader made clear that he was open to appearing at future high‑level events as a candidate after confirming that the option was still on the table. He stated that a decision has not yet been taken, but that a high‑level test would likely lead him to participate. He expressed willingness to debate with opposition leader Elly Schlein before the European elections. He described the approach as normal and fair, adding that he had never hesitated to engage in dialogue and would not hesitate this time either, even as he pushed back against criticisms over disagreements with the media in his country.
On the subject of pre‑election strategies, Meloni ruled out any alliance with the Eurosceptic and far‑right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD). He pointed to insurmountable differences, particularly regarding Russia, and noted that neither the AfD nor Marine Le Pen’s National Rally are part of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament.
Nevertheless, the prime minister repeated that he believes China acted correctly in abandoning the Silk Road. He argued that Italy was among the G7 members that supported the strategic realignment and noted that arms continued to be sent to Ukraine. When addressing Israel’s war with Gaza, he expressed some confusion about the best course of action. He warned against a simplistic sequence of defeating Hamas before engaging in discussion, urging the EU to play a central role and urging greater unity. He warned that the conflict could intensify and potentially spread to other countries.
balancing act
In a speech lasting more than three hours, Meloni defended the Italian Parliament’s decision not to advance reforms to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), a tool designed to address banking crises. The country’s stance created some unrest in Brussels, as Italy was the sole nation to refuse ratification. He argued that Italy does not have fewer rights than other states and recalled Jacques Chirac’s French stance on EU constitutional questions in 2005 as a historical reference. He contended that the ESM proposal felt outdated and should be reconsidered.
When asked about domestic political criticism, Meloni acknowledged disagreements within the ruling bloc and spoke about tightening accountability. He suggested that, at times, even trusted supporters can stray or err, but emphasized responsibility as the guiding principle for governance. He pledged to be strict when required, pointing to the need for discipline within the party and the government.
In a separate note, Meloni defended Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League, who faced a corruption allegation involving close associates. He stated that the information suggested the wiretapping related to a prior government and did not implicate Salvini directly. The prime minister asserted overall integrity and unity within the ruling coalition amid ongoing scrutiny and public criticism.