Calovini (FdI): “Total synergy with Merz, he and Meloni are the pillars of the EU”
Giangiacomo Calovini (Ansa)
The interview
The group leader for Fratelli d'Italia in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber tells us that the bond between Germany and Italy is synergic. The meeting between the two leaders in Rome on Saturday: "The role of the two countries to right the EU's mistakes is at the center"
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“Meloni and Merz are the two strongest political representatives of the moment,” says Giangiacomo Calovini , group leader for Fratelli d’Italia in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. “And on Saturday they will sit at the table in a bilateral summit of extreme importance,” given that the German Chancellor will be in Rome for the enthronement ceremony of Pope Leo XIV. From the Vatican to Palazzo Chigi. “What will we talk about? I have no advance information on the agenda yet. But the EU – and the role that member states can play in correcting its many mistakes – will certainly be at the center of the agenda. As will cohesion around rearmament, the defense of Ukraine. There is nothing that can undermine our commitment. Indeed, the synergy with Germany, if anything, strengthens it.”
Calovini is speaking from Saxony, where on Thursday he was busy with Minister Foti for the inauguration of the new steel plant of the Feralpi group: over 200 million euros of investment for the production of green steel (the first of its kind in Germany). “A milestone and a symbol: Italian companies continue to demonstrate great attractiveness abroad too,” the deputy tells Il Foglio. “From automotive to manufacturing, there are countless sectors that tie us closely to Germany.” But isn’t it possible that this enthusiasm is a bit too one-sided, with the Germans instead only considering us up to a certain point? “I’ll tell you this: while I was there, the representatives of the Länder defined the strategies of our companies as a “political marvel.” There is great admiration for Italy.” However, there is not only the metalworking industry. In telecommunications, the ongoing takeover bid for ProSieben is the hot topic these days: the German broadcaster of which Mediaset is the largest shareholder. “But internal competition is everywhere, in many sectors. Even with France. This will not affect our excellent relations”.
According to Calovini, there is more. “Since he took office, Merz has only visited Paris and Warsaw: we are the first country where he will travel outside the Weimar Triangle”. A new pontiff does not appear every day. “Without a doubt. But the timing and content of Saturday's meeting once again underline the centrality of the Meloni government in the community context. And with his presence, Merz legitimizes its importance: from the green deal to energy, passing through industry, we agree that Brussels must change course so as not to fall behind the rest of the world. Leaner, faster, more competitive. It is a long-standing problem and we all need it to be addressed as soon as possible” .
There will be topics of conversation: the vote in Romania, Trump's tariffs. "We carefully monitor all elections in Europe", says the FdI group leader. "The important thing is to respect the democratic will of the citizens. However things end in Bucharest, there is no weakening or repositioning of a member state. In his latest statements, Simion has shown himself to be much less incendiary than some might have believed. Dialogue is always needed. Even with Trump: we see that in the end the American president is making agreements with other countries. Look, the right line is not a head-on confrontation, but that of negotiation. That is, Meloni's line". And Merz's? "It's the same. From Germany, only praise is coming for what Italy is achieving". Even if it were the opposite, if only we had some.
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