The start of the round of consultations to form a new government led by Meloni is clouded by his partner’s statements in defense of Putin
Italy has supported Ukraine since the invasion by Russia began last February, but the situation could change with the imminent political change that will include Mario Draghi’s departure as head of government. After the resounding victory of the conservative alliance in the elections of September 25, the consultation round begins this Thursday in which the head of state, Sergio Mattarella, will end, except for a surprise, by dedicating the formation of the new executive to Giorgia Meloni. , leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia (FdI, Brothers of Italy) party and winner of the recent elections with 24% of the vote. Meloni and his cabinet ministers could be sworn in on Saturday or Sunday and undergo relevant inauguration votes in the Chamber of Deputies and Senate early next week.
Although the prime minister has repeatedly reiterated “in pectore” that she will continue to support Kiev despite Moscow’s aggression, her ally Silvio Berlusconi, leader of Forza Italia, has caused considerable controversy when some statements came to light. to a group of parliamentarians in which he boasts of his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and blames his Ukrainian counterpart Volódimir Zelensky for the conflict. After “tripling” attacks on pro-Russians in Donbas in recent years, Zelensky is said to have provoked the Moscow-ordered invasion. Speaking to a group of parliamentarians from his party revealed by the Lapresse bureau, Berlusconi proposes a Putin almost forced to invade Ukraine to respond to Kiev’s aggression. According to the four-time Italian prime minister, the war would drag on because of “the resistance” of the Ukrainians, who “started to receive weapons and money from the West from the third day”.
Berlusconi’s controversial words came to light after other similar statements by him were made public the day before, in which he boasted that he had “resumed” relations with the Russian president, who had sent him as a birthday present a few weeks ago. . bottles of vodka” and a “very sweet” card. The tycoon responded with another letter in the same tone and bottles of Lambrusco wine.
Fed up with her partner’s outbursts, Meloni confirmed on Wednesday that her executive will have “a clear line of foreign policy”, which includes “head held high in Europe and NATO”. In a warning to Berlusconi, he pointed out that anyone who disagrees with “this principle will not be able to join the government at the cost of not forming the government”. With her in power, Italy will “never be the weak ring of the West,” he guaranteed.
Source: La Verdad
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