South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Italy’s far-right leader Meloni pledges alignment with West
ROME — Giorgia Meloni, whose party with neofascist roots finished first in September elections, was sworn in Saturday as Italy’s first far-right premier since the end of World War II, pledging to work to help Europe and the United States with common challenges.
Meloni, 45, recited the oath of office before President Sergio Mattarella, who on Friday formally asked her to form a government. She is the first woman to serve as premier.
Her Brothers of Italy party, which she co-founded in 2012, will rule in coalition with the right-wing League of Matteo Salvini and the conservative Forza Italia headed by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
Meloni signed a pledge to be faithful to Italy’s postwar republic, and Mattarella countersigned it. As head of state, the president serves as guarantor of the Italian Constitution, drafted after the end of World War II and the demise of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Meloni’s government replaces one led by Mario Draghi, a former European Central Bank chief who was appointed by Mattarella in 2021 to lead a pandemic national unity coalition. Meloni refused to join that coalition, insisting voters must decide the makeup of their governments.
While campaigning, Meloni insisted that national interests would prevail over European Union policies should there be conflict.
Salvini’s right-wing League party has at times leaned euroskeptic. An admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Salvini has questioned the wisdom of EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, arguing that they risk hurting Italian businesses. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Meloni, noting she was the first woman to hold the premiership.
“I count on and look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government on the challenges we face together,” the EU chief said.
Meloni tweeted back that she was “eager and ready to work with you to strengthen EU resilience towards our common challenges.”
One immediate challenge for Meloni will be ensuring that Italy stays solidly aligned with other major nations in the West in helping Ukraine fight off the invading Russians.
In the days before she became premier, Meloni resorted to an ultimatum to her other main coalition partner, Berlusconi, over his professed sympathy for Putin and dismissive comments about Ukraine’s president.
Berlusconi, in remarks to Forza Italia lawmakers, appeared to justify the Russian invasion in February to install what he called a “decent” government in the Ukrainian capital.
After making clear she demands unwavering support for Ukraine, as well as NATO and EU positions on Russia’s war — “Italy with us in government will never be the weak link of the West,” she said — Meloni tapped as foreign minister a longtime Berlusconi stalwart with solid pro-EU credentials. Antonio Tajani formerly was president of the European Parliament.
In a congratulatory tweet for Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made no reference to Berlusconi slamming him. “I look forward to continued fruitful cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in Ukraine, Italy and the world!” Zelenskyy wrote.
Meloni replied that Italy would “always be on the side of the brave people of Ukraine that is fighting for its freedom and for a rightful peace.”
U.S. President Joe Biden, in congratulating Meloni, praised Italy as a “vital NATO ally and close partner as our nations together address shared global challenges.”
“As leaders in the G-7, I look forward to continuing to advance our support for Ukraine, hold Russia accountable for its aggression, ensure respect for human rights and democratic values, and build sustainable economic growth,” Biden said.
In a statement thanking Biden, Meloni said she was eager to work together “for freedom and international security.”
Europe’s political right, eager to dominate on the continent, exulted in Meloni coming to power.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, referring to Meloni and Salvini, wrote on Twitter: “Throughout Europe, patriots are coming to power and with them, this Europe of nations.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also hailed the birth of the new Italian government as a “big day for the European Right.”