Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Italian party FdI, recently defended the actions of her government in a studio interview with corriere.it. She discussed various reforms, including the recently approved judicial reform, which she clarified was not a vendetta against judges, and the reform of the premiership which she claimed closed a gap in the system. Meloni emphasized that these reforms were made to address the requests of the opposition parties without undermining the powers of the President of the Republic. She argued that the President’s role in forming a government is based on the indications provided by political forces, and that the freedom to select a government is not constitutional when a majority is not expressed by the parties. Meloni highlighted the importance of preserving the President’s role as a constitutional guarantor and counterbalance to the government.
Meloni also addressed concerns raised by a user regarding whether the premiership reform diminishes the political functions of the President. She explained that the President does not currently have the power to choose the government and that they are required to appoint a government based on indications from political forces. Meloni argued that the current system forces the President into a supplementary role when a majority is not clear, which she believes compromises their role as a guarantor of the Constitution. She stated that the premiership resolves this issue while maintaining the President’s powers of counter-signature and veto to ensure the Constitution is upheld. Meloni expressed her determination to move forward without fear, defending her position against critics and advocating for the status quo.
During the interview, Meloni also touched on foreign policy issues, stating Italy’s refusal to allow weapons sent to Ukraine to transit through Russian territory and expressing support for strengthening Ukraine’s defenses. She refrained from commenting on the situation in Gaza but addressed a phone call from Recep Tayyip Erdogan requesting Italy to recognize Palestine. Meloni reiterated her stance on combating tax evasion, describing it as intolerable. She also discussed potential future alliances in Europe and dismissed criticisms of her leadership style, stating that she is not a cheerleader. She revisited a recent clash with Vincenzo de Luca, referring to him as a bully and expressing a desire for feminists to speak out on the issue.
Overall, Meloni’s statements during the interview underscore her firm stance on governance reforms and foreign policy positions. She defended the actions of her government and emphasized the importance of preserving the President’s role in forming a government while ensuring that the Constitution is upheld. Meloni’s views on foreign policy reflect a commitment to supporting Ukraine and opposing Russian aggression, as well as maintaining a principled stance on international relations. Her responses to criticisms and political clashes demonstrate a confident and assertive leadership style, highlighting her determination to address challenges and maintain stability within the Italian political landscape.