An official visit that included a meeting in Rome with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini and that of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The interview, which lasted about an hour, took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. According to what was reported by the League leader’s staff, the meeting was “affectionate” and allowed us to take stock of the international situation, addressing issues related to infrastructure, peace and geopolitical balance. Among the main topics discussed, the shared criticism of European policies regarding ecological transition and immigration.
“Maximum harmony on the fight against illegal immigration,” explained Salvini’s staff, adding that the two leaders reiterated their opposition to the European Green Deal and the “suicidal policies of the European Union”. During the visit, Orban and Salvini also stopped in front of the model of the Strait Bridge, “a work that creates expectations and curiosity also at an international level”. Salvini invited the Hungarian prime minister to start construction.
In a tweet published at the end of the visit, Orban defined the meeting as “productive”: “It’s always nice to be in the company of a fellow patriot! Today in Rome I had productive talks with my friend Matteo Salvini. We are united in our commitment to defending our nations and building a strong Europe of sovereign states.”
The visit fits into a broader political context. According to Politico.eu, Budapest is working to create an alliance within the European Union with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, aimed at promoting a more skeptical line towards support for Ukraine. A political advisor to Orban explained that the objective is to “align positions in view of the next summits of European leaders”, with the prospect of collaboration with former Czech prime minister Andrej Babis and Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico. Although a structured alliance is still a long way off, its eventual formation could complicate the EU’s efforts to maintain unified support for Kiev.
The statements and gestures of the Hungarian prime minister have sparked harsh reactions in Italy. “The denigrating attitude towards Europe and its role in Ukraine, on the part of the same prime ministers who sit in the European Council, is intolerable”, commented Peppe Provenzano, deputy of the Democratic Party and head of foreign affairs of the party, speaking to Tagadà on La7. “If Ukraine is still standing – he added – it is thanks to the European Union which, united, supported it in its heroic resistance against a criminal invasion”.
Orban’s Roman stop, amidst smiles, sovereignist alliances and criticism of the European Union, therefore confirms the Hungarian leader’s attempt to strengthen a Eurosceptic front in Central Europe, while decisive weeks are approaching in Brussels for the future of support for Kiev and for the internal cohesion of the EU.