Most European leaders are concerned about the potential re-election of Donald Trump. However, in Rome, this scenario is viewed as an opportunity for Giorgia Meloni, a politician with strong ties to the Trump world. Before becoming Italian prime minister, Meloni established connections with Maga ideologues at Republican gatherings. Her allies believe that if Trump wins again, she will become his go-to European partner, enhancing her relevance to EU peers with whom she has had strained relations.
While Meloni has not commented on the US election, her Brothers of Italy party is quietly working behind the scenes to strengthen ties with Republicans. Antonio Giordano, an MP from Brothers of Italy who attended this year’s Republican National Convention, stated that Meloni would be the natural interlocutor for Trump if he wants to improve relations with Europe.
Meloni has developed a close bond with tech mogul Elon Musk and shares similar views on drastic reforms in government. Musk will present Meloni with the Atlantic Council’s Global Citizen award in New York City on Monday night.
Stefano Stefanini, Italy’s former ambassador to NATO, believes that Meloni is well-positioned ideologically for a potential second Trump administration. However, he warns that Trump may play European countries against each other and create challenges for Meloni in balancing relations between Washington and Brussels.
Nathalie Tocci from Rome’s Institute of International Affairs suggests that Italy could face difficulties due to its failure to meet NATO’s defense spending commitment. She believes that Trump’s obsession with defense spending may lead him to question Italy’s contributions.
In recent years, Meloni attended US political gatherings where she praised Trump as an inspiration for Italian politics. Figures like Steve Bannon and Elon Musk have also traveled to Italy and expressed support for her policies.
Italian-American businessman Andrea Di Giuseppe describes Meloni as the most credible conservative leader in Europe and believes she would be an obvious choice for Trump to engage with.
Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has built warm relations with President Joe Biden but remains committed to working with any White House occupant without expressing support or opposition towards either candidate during their bids for presidency.
While Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán openly supports Trump’s re-election bid by visiting Mar-a-Lago after trips abroad earlier this year; Matteo Salvini -Melonni’s deputy prime minister- also openly roots for a second term presidency by Donald J.Trump
Overall Rome’s relationship will remain strong irrespective of who becomes president according Lucio Malan senator from Brothers of Italy party; however they do acknowledge being closer aligned politically speaking towards Republicans including President Donald J.Trump
Many members within Brothers of Italy share similar views as President Donald J.Trump regarding higher military spending beyond current 1.5% GDP blaming Brussels budget deficit rules preventing them from doing so
During recent EU negotiations on budget rule reform Rome pushed unsuccessfully excluding defense spending from deficit calculations but pressure from a second term presidency by Donald J.Trump could force Brussels into reconsidering
Despite concerns over protectionist policies under another term by President Donald J.Trump Malan remains confident Rome can defend its interests stating “Trump was president once already…and the world didn’t fall apart.”
