Partner for Trump?: Meloni pushes for leadership role in Europe

With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is pushing for a central leadership role in Europe. The right-wing head of government announced that she wanted to be there when Trump was inaugurated for the second time in Washington on January 20th after a four-year break. She called her relationship with the future US president “very solid,” which could also benefit Europe as a whole. At the same time, she defended Trump against criticism from other EU capitals.

The chairwoman of the right-wing governing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) – together with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban – has the best contacts with the Republican camp within the EU. Just this weekend she made a surprise visit to his private Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump praised her as a “fantastic woman.”

Bridge builder or cheerleader?

At a press conference at the beginning of the new year in Rome, Meloni made it clear that she could easily imagine a role as a “bridge builder” across the Atlantic – especially since the right-wing camp has also made significant gains in other European countries. At home, however, there is also criticism from the opposition that they are acting like a cheerleader for Trump.

Meloni defended herself against such allegations by saying that she also had an “optimal relationship” with outgoing US President Joe Biden. If there is now even more agreement between two conservatives, that could mean added value for both Italy and the entire EU. At the same time, she confirmed that she received an invitation to the inauguration from Trump personally. “I would be happy to be there.”

Meloni defends Trump against criticism from Berlin and Paris

The Prime Minister also defended Trump against criticism over his recent territorial claims on other countries. In doing so, she clearly took a different tone than Berlin or Paris, which had expressed great concern. Meloni said: “As far as Greenland and Panama are concerned, I think it is impossible that the United States will attempt to annex territories by force in the next few years.”

Trump’s comments were “more of a message to some other important global players,” she added, referring to China and Russia. Meloni spoke of a “powerful way of saying that the US will not sit idly by while other major global players move in areas of strategic interest to the US.” Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, emphasized that international borders should not be moved by force. Harsh tones also came from the French government.

Prime Minister: USA will not give up Ukraine

In addition, Meloni expressed his conviction that the USA would not give up on Ukraine in its defensive battle against Russia. “Trump has the ability to balance diplomacy and deterrence. I predict it will be the same this time.” There are grave concerns in Kiev that Trump will abandon Ukraine after three years of war.

The right-wing politician also defended billionaire Elon Musk, with whom she has a friendly relationship, against criticism. With regard to the Trump advisor’s recommendation for the AfD before the German federal election, she said that Musk was “not a threat to democracy.” The Italian government is currently in talks with the Musk Group SpaceX about a billion-dollar contract for secure communications services.

Spiderman also plays a role

The 47-year-old also commented on the fact that she was named the most powerful personality in Europe by the magazine “Politico” before the turn of the year. She herself was “a little worried”. From their point of view, there is no point in organizing competitions among European heads of state and government. “But as Spiderman says: With great power comes great responsibility.”

Meloni has led a coalition of three right-wing and conservative parties in Rome since October 2022. In her youth she was a member of a neo-fascist movement. During the election campaign she did not skimp on criticism of the EU. In her term of office so far, she has pursued a European course. In the polls, her Fratelli party is ahead of all other political forces with around 28 percent.