“If Europe wants to be great, it must be able to defend itself.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defends the line of European and Italian rearmament. “When you outsource security to someone else, you have to know that there is a price to pay,” the Prime Minister explains in an interview with TgLa7. “What happened at the NATO summit was this, and it didn’t surprise me. We know it’s an inevitable process and it’s an opportunity for us. Clearly, defense has an economic cost and produces political freedom,” Meloni argues. She also reiterated her firm military support for Kiev:"The government's line has been very clear from the beginning. We have supported Ukraine to build peace. Peace is not built with good intentions but with deterrence. The government's line must remain the same to build a path to peace," the prime minister emphasized.
On this issue, however, the League, one of the center-right's allies, isn't as convinced. But Meloni replies:"The puppets are holding the strings... This isn't a debate between pro-Russians, pro-Americans, or pro-Europeans. We are all pro-Italians. The real issue is how best to defend Italy's national interests? Italians think that, ultimately, Ukraine is far away; what happens there doesn't concern us. I think that, unfortunately, it does concern us and that we risk paying a much higher price by making a different choice, but it's a debate among Italians who are wondering how best to stimulate national interests."
On the recognition of the State of Palestine,"I remain faithful to the line indicated by the Parliament: it voted a resolution that provides for the recognition of the Palestinian state when two conditions are met: the disarmament of Hamas and the certainty that it has no role in the governance of Gaza. Italian efforts are aimed at implementing Trump's plan, which is complex but is an opportunity that may not come again," Meloni explains. He then denies that Italy has been timid with Israel over what happened in the West Bank:"We have been very clear in various forums. At the United Nations General Assembly, I said that Israel has no right to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state or to encourage new settlements to prevent it. This is why we signed the New York Declaration on Two States, and so Italy's position has always been very clear."
Finally, domestic political issues, particularly the possible face-to-face meeting with Schlein and Conte at Atreju. “I have stated several times my availability to meet with the leader of the opposition, when they tell me who he is… ,” Meloni replies to Enrico Mentana who asked her if there will be a meeting with Elly Schlein sooner or later. “There are many friendly meetings, but,” Meloni adds, “if we're talking about a meeting with the leader of the opposition, I don't get involved in the dynamics of the opposition.” Then a joke about the referendum on justice : “Don't worry, the government will remain in office until the end of the legislature regardless of how the referendum goes. I recommend voting based on the merits of the laws ; justice can improve .”
