'Removing Anti-EU Colors'... Meloni "Ready to Comply with EU Rules"

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (left) and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yujin] Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, who visited Brussels as her first overseas trip since taking office, met with European Union (EU) leaders to discuss the energy crisis, the Ukraine situation, and economic issues. She is actively working to alleviate international concerns about a far-right leader emerging amid the severe economic crisis, including the Ukraine situation and inflation.

Major foreign media reported on the 3rd (local time) that Meloni toned down her anti-European rhetoric and was warmly received by EU leaders. After the talks with EU leaders at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Meloni told reporters, "There was a very frank and very positive exchange (with the EU leaders)." She met sequentially with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

During the meeting, Meloni discussed the Ukraine situation, the deepening energy crisis, the migrant issue Italy faces on the EU's southern border, and the use of the 190 billion euro COVID-19 recovery fund supported by the EU.

Meloni, who had not hesitated to make anti-European remarks in the past, focused on erasing her anti-European image by stating in this meeting that "Italy will seek participation, cooperation, and defense of national interests within the framework of Europe."

Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, she said, "We will support Ukraine and maintain a firm stance against Russia." In her first national address last month, she declared that she would not yield to energy threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed her intention to join the EU in sanctions against Russia concerning the Ukraine situation.

EU leaders also welcomed Meloni, who is showing a pro-EU approach. Von der Leyen, the Commission President, wrote on her Twitter, "Thank you to Giorgia Meloni for choosing European institutions for her first overseas visit," adding, "Your visit itself is a strong signal." She further noted, "It was a good opportunity to exchange views on important issues ranging from support for Ukraine to Italy's energy and migrant problems."

President Metsola said, "We were fully united on the Ukraine issue," and added, "We will continue to firmly maintain sanctions against Russia."

Before her visit to Brussels, Meloni wrote on social media, "Italy's voice will be strong in Europe," and "We are cooperating with the EU to respond to the energy crisis and to find solutions for weakened investment and household consumption."

Nicknamed the "female Mussolini," Meloni is a far-right prime minister born exactly 100 years after the fascist regime. In the past, she called for "Italy First," advocated for leaving the EU, and implemented tough immigration policies, earning the nickname "the most dangerous woman in Europe."

However, less than two weeks after her official inauguration, she visited Brussels, continuing efforts to dispel concerns that she would cause EU division. After the meeting, Meloni told reporters, "We are not Martians," adding, "We are humans with blood and flesh," which is interpreted in the same context.

With the EU facing an economic recession crisis and concerns about fiscal soundness highlighted by the UK tax cut incident, many challenges lie ahead. Italy, a representative financially vulnerable country in the EU, is facing a triple burden of energy crisis, inflation, and interest rate hikes, raising concerns about fiscal soundness. Meloni has declared that while Italy must reduce fiscal deficits and public debt in the long term, in the short term, it will overcome the energy crisis through bold fiscal spending. Meloni is scheduled to announce the public finance management plan at the cabinet meeting on the 4th.