The confrontation between Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron does not subside. The Italian Prime Minister uses an effective metaphor to explain the reason for his irritation: “There is no Europe in series A and another in series B, when it is said that Europe has a first class and a third class, it is worth remembering the Titanic , because when the ship sinks it doesn’t matter how much you paid for the passage». The Prime Minister is referring to the restricted summit organized on Wednesday at the Élysée by the French Head of State with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Sholz. A clear disdain for all other EU member countries, as the confidential meeting was held just on the eve of the European Council which Meloni also attended. Macron tried to blame Zelensky for what happened, arguing that it is the Ukrainian president who chooses the format of meetings with foreign partners. Reconstruction sent back to sender by Meloni: “I can tell you that wasn’t Zelensky’s point of view.”
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini was also very angry, defining Macron’s “incomprehensible arrogance”. The League leader added: “When there is war, there is the cost of raw materials and the Chinese are sending spy balloons all over the world, does Macron think he can do it alone? I don’t think it goes far and I don’t think it’s a show of Europeanism, solidarity and political acumen.” Macron’s action is, in fact, interpreted by many as a “retaliation” against the front that Meloni managed to assemble on the issue of migrants In fact, only yesterday, the European Council sent to theCommission a document calling for the launch of a new policy on repatriation and the defense of the Union’s external borders. We cannot forget what happened last November, when France did not want to receive a ship from an NGO bound for the port of Marseille, so much so that Macron even announced the suspension of the redistribution of immigrants in his country who landed in Italy.
The opposition used what happened to attack the government, arguing that Italy is now more isolated than when Draghi ruled. Chancellor Antonio Tajani does not agree with anything: “France made a mistake that does not go towards strengthening Europe’s action in favor of Ukraine’s freedom. A diplomatic gaffe by the government of a great friendly democracy, among other things, a few days after the signing of the Quirinale Treaty between our two countries. There is no problem with Ukraine. President Giorgia Meloni has seen Zelensky and we will continue to support that country’s fight for freedom», guarantees the head of the Itamaraty to “Corriere della Sera”, Macron’s is «a gaffe that does not strengthen European unity around Ukraine. But we will know how to start over. I expected Italy to be present at that table: we did our duty. We immediately support Ukraine. We send aid of over a billion.”
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
