On the agenda of Giorgia Melonifor now, there is an invitation on January 20th. At the White House, for the inauguration of Donald Trump who will return to the leadership of the United States. An invitation that is not yet a commitment made, nor cancelled. The prime minister will decide in the next few days whether to participate. And in the meantime, with a view to the good relationships to be maintained and confirmed overseas, Meloni still reserves compliments for Elon Musk. He does so in a long interview with the weekly Sette. In a crescendo that, speaking of the owner of X and Tesla, goes from “a brilliant man” to “a great personality of our time”. Up to “an extraordinary innovator who always has his eye on the future”. And certainly “not a monster” as the left paints him, only because “he chose the supposedly wrong side of the barricade”. Then he says: “I haven’t always thought like this.”
Words that confirm the harmony with the American tycoon wanted and acclaimed last year at Atreju, the party organized by Fratelli d’Italia. And immortalized several times in photos together with the prime minister, close and smiling. When asked if they are friends, however, Meloni glosses over and prefers the most neutral answer: we are “two people who have an excellent relationship”. Without denying the differences: “There are things on which our point of view is more similar, others that they see more distantly, but this does not prevent the comparison”. Indeed, he insists: “I find it natural to be able to dialogue with him”. “It will be able to do good not only for the United States but also for our country – Salvini remarks in a live broadcast on social media – because with the Starlink satellites I think that many Italian cities that today have no connection could also be connected”. And he spares no compliments: “he is great, a genius, a visionary who is giving work to hundreds of thousands of people.”
Hence the label that Debora Serracchiani of the Democratic Party lashes out at the minister defined as “a billionaire’s waiter”. Other than “defender of the north” or “sovereignist”. And he hits home: «Salvini has been reduced to this by lying at the feet of someone who caresses the AfD and insults European prime ministers. Bossi or Maroni would not have humiliated themselves like that.” In any case, Musk remains aware that good relations with him could favor broader ones with the United States and the next president. Therefore, in view of Trump’s inauguration, Meloni welcomed the (personal) invitation of the tycoon and his daughter Ivanka. And probably flattered by the thought of being the first Italian prime minister (and one of the few European heads of government) present at an event which, beyond the institutional value for that country, would have a broader political significance. A sign of a role that Italy could play (or would aspire to have) in the relations between Washington and Brussels, to encourage a dialogue that is not easy to imagine at the moment. Returning to the national level and slightly anticipating the press conference at the beginning of the year scheduled for January 9th, Meloni takes stock of the first two and a half years in government. He admits that “everything can be perfected”, but excludes “regrets and regrets” and above all that he has “never made a choice of which I should be ashamed”. Equally assertive about her party: removing the flame from the symbol of the Brothers of Italy “has never been an issue on the agenda.”