The Italian president today ends consultations for the formation of the government by hosting the parties of the right-wing coalition, before he is expected to entrust executive power to Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy (FdI), the winning party in the September elections.
Sergio Mattarella receives Giorgia Meloni and his allies, Matteo Salvini (Liga) and Silvio Berlusconi (Força Italia/FI), at 10:30 am local time (11:30 am in Lisbon), at Palácio do Quirinal, seat of the presidency of Italy.
It is expected that after this meeting, after receiving all the rest of the parliamentary formations on Thursday, Mattarella will entrust the government formation to Giorgia Meloni in the coming hours.
The big question before the start of today’s meeting is whether the three leaders will be united, following the tensions between Meloni and Berlusconi in recent days, especially after the latter justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Tomorrow, together with the entire centre-right coalition, we will go to the Quirinal Hill to meet with the President of the Republic Mattarella. We are ready to give Italy a government that meets the urgencies and challenges of our time with conscience and ability.” , he said. Meanwhile, Meloni took to social media on Thursday night.
The Italian press released audio in which Berlusconi claims to have renewed his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who allegedly offered the Italian politician 20 bottles of vodka and a “very kind letter” for his birthday. Berlusconi also blamed Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky for the war in Ukraine.
“I was, I am and will always be clear about one thing: I intend to lead an executive with a clear and unambiguous line of foreign policy. Italy is a full member of Europe and of the Atlantic Alliance with its head held high. Meloni later stated, adding that “whoever does not agree cannot be part of the government”.
Berlusconi’s words troubled FI number two Antonio Tajani, who could be named foreign minister, who on Thursday had to publicly reiterate the Europeanism of his training, his leader and his own training after the audio leaks to the press.
According to Tajani, the disclosure of this audio was a “vengeance”.
The showdown had already started last week when Berlusconi, who disagreed with Meloni’s way of negotiating the new Executive, refused to allow his senators to vote for Meloni’s number two as Senate president.
Meloni is expected to receive and accept government leadership this afternoon or over the weekend, present his list of ministers and take the oath of office to undergo the inauguration in parliament early next week.
Italy’s center and left parties have already expressed doubts about the Europeanism of the coalition formed by Meloni’s party and its right-wing and far-right allies.
Source: DN
