[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Giorgia Meloni, leader of Italy's Brothers of Italy (FdI) and the likely first female prime minister of Italy, emphasized putting national interests first in her first speech after the general election.
On the 1st (local time), Meloni visited an agricultural fair held in Milan, Italy, where she referred to the current energy crisis and the results of the European Union (EU) Energy Ministers Council meeting, making these remarks.
The EU energy ministers held an emergency meeting the previous day at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss measures to respond to soaring energy prices. However, they failed to reach an agreement on a price cap for Russian natural gas, which some member states including Italy had strongly demanded.
Germany, which opposed the introduction of the price cap, announced a support policy worth 200 billion euros (approximately 280 trillion won) for its companies and households struggling with soaring energy prices.
Regarding this, Meloni said it was a support plan of a scale that Italy could not bear, adding, "Perhaps those who read today's newspapers will understand why I said that we must start from national interests to reach a shared solution in Europe."
She emphasized that other European countries, like Germany, prioritize their own interests over those of the EU, stating, "Italy also needs to return to a direction that protects national interests."
Meloni said this is unrelated to populism or nationalism and does not mean confrontation with Europe. She said, "It does not mean opposing Europe but rather a positive attitude toward ourselves," adding, "We too must start from national interests like other countries."
Meloni appeared in public for the first time since her victory declaration in the early morning of the 26th, immediately after the general election exit poll announcement. She said the first task of the next government will be to respond to the energy crisis.
The right-wing coalition led by Meloni won a landslide victory with about 44% of the vote in this general election, securing a majority in both the upper and lower houses. With Meloni expected to become the next prime minister, she is currently focusing on selecting the next government’s cabinet members.
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