A chorus of reaction from the main European institutions. The European Union, initially very circumspect about the rise to power of the extreme right in Italy, said it was ready to “cooperate” with the 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 said on Twitter. “I am counting on constructive cooperation with the new government, in the face of the challenges that we must face together”.
“Let’s work together for the good of Italy and the EU”continued the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. “Europe needs Italy. Together we will overcome all difficulties”said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a tweet in Italian.
These reactions contrasted with the silence of the major European capitals, Berlin, Paris and Madrid. The very conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a pet peeve of Brussels, was one of the only European leaders to congratulate Giorgia Meloni, hailing “a great day for the European right”.
The composition of the new Italian government reflects the desire to reassure Rome’s partners. Former President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, a member of Forza Italia, has been appointed to Foreign Affairs with the title of Deputy Prime Minister. Giancarlo Giorgetti, a representative of the moderate wing of the League, already a minister in the outgoing government of Mario Draghi, has meanwhile been appointed to the Economy.
Giorgia Meloni has with his coalition partners, the populist leader of the Antimigrant League Matteo Salvini and the declining leader of Forza Italia, Silvio Berlusconi, an absolute majority in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.