Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was awarded the “Global Citizen Award 2024” by Elon Musk at the Atlantic Council, who praised her as being even more beautiful inside than outside, and lauded her work as premier for record job growth and employment, as well as her honesty and authenticity. The political implications of the award are significant, as Musk is a supporter of former President Donald Trump and had offered him a role in case of victory in the presidential elections. Meloni’s meeting with Joe Biden in March at the White House signaled a closer relationship with the Democratic administration, but the award from Musk suggests a reapproachment with Republicans, potentially to counterbalance Matteo Salvini’s strong ties to Trump.
The encounter in New York for the Atlantic Council award is the third meeting between Meloni and Musk, who first met at Palazzo Chigi and then at the Atreju event last December. Musk’s companies, such as Starlink that provided satellite internet communication to Ukraine and flood-stricken Romagna, could be important partners to counterbalance French influence in the European space industry. Additionally, Musk’s projects aligned with Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) aim to provide broadband coverage to the country, potentially aiding in remedying national delays. SpaceX, a company that NASA currently relies on, could also become a key asset in a transnational partnership, fostering relationships with Leonardo and other industry players.
At the award ceremony, Meloni emphasized Italy’s support for those defending their freedom and sovereignty, stressing the importance of preventing a future dominated by the law of the strongest. She praised Western values, warning against self-diminishment and the risk of becoming less credible as a global partner. Meloni highlighted the choice between being a leader or a follower in politics, advocating for guiding actions for the benefit of the people rather than being swayed by polls. She also addressed the narrative of authoritarian regimes caring for their citizens and the manipulation of reality by foreign trolls and bots, affirming a commitment to defending Western values against such threats.
In response to the increasing influence of authoritarian regimes and the possibility of a closed and self-referential global fortress, Meloni proposed launching the Mattei plan for Africa to establish a new and lasting partnership with African countries, promoting cooperative and equal collaboration to counterbalance the trends of rising autocracies and potential decline of democracies. This initiative seeks to address the demands of the so-called Global South for increased influence and collaborations among developing nations, aiming to create a more open, inclusive, and sustainable global community. By taking a proactive approach to international partnerships and cooperation, Meloni and Italy strive to reverse negative trends and promote a more stable and interconnected world.
