Meloni: "Italy is Clearly Part of Europe and NATO"... Distancing from Berlusconi Amid 'Recording Scandal'

Giorgia Meloni, leader of Brothers of Italy (FdI)
Photo by Reuters-Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Giorgia Meloni, leader of Brothers of Italy (FdI) and the likely next Prime Minister of Italy, issued a statement on the 19th (local time) emphasizing, "Italy is definitely a member of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."

The statement came amid controversy after the release of a recording of Silvio Berlusconi, leader of Forza Italia (FI), who agreed to form a coalition government with Meloni's party. The recording, revealed by Italian news agency LaPresse, contained Berlusconi defending Russia's invasion of Ukraine and criticizing Ukraine and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

This exposed the fact that Berlusconi and Meloni hold completely opposite views on the Ukraine war. Meloni has strongly criticized Russia and clearly expressed her support for Ukraine.

Ahead of the launch of the next coalition government, Meloni targeted Berlusconi in a firm tone in her statement, saying she would clearly support Ukraine even if it meant risking failure to form a government.

In her statement, Meloni said, "If one does not agree that Italy is a member of Europe and NATO, they cannot be part of the next government," adding, "Even if this means that a government cannot be formed." She further emphasized that the government she leads will have a clear diplomatic stance and "will require all ministers to have a clear position." This implied that if Berlusconi sides with Russia and Putin, he cannot be part of the next government.

Meloni stressed, "Italy will never be a weak link in the Western alliance opposing Russia."

FdI secured first place with 26% of the vote in Italy's early general election on the 25th of last month. FdI agreed to form a coalition with the League (8.8%) and FI (8.1%). Italian President Sergio Mattarella is expected to officially invite Meloni within days to grant her the authority to form a government. For Meloni, this represents a major setback just before the government launch.

Meloni has consistently condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and pledged support for Ukraine. However, both Berlusconi and League leader Matteo Salvini, who are set to form the coalition with her, are classified as pro-Russian figures.

Silvio Berlusconi, Forward Italy (FI) Leader
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the recording revealed by LaPresse, Berlusconi claimed that Putin had no choice but to invade Ukraine because Ukraine violated the Minsk agreements in 2014. Berlusconi argued that Putin launched a special military operation in Ukraine to establish a new government composed of rational and dignified people. The term "special military operation" is Russia's official expression for its invasion of Ukraine.

Berlusconi asserted that Ukraine threw the Minsk agreements "into hell" and started the attacks. He further claimed that because the West provided military and financial support to Ukraine, what was supposed to be a two-week special military operation turned into a "200-odd-year war."

Meanwhile, another FI leadership figure, Antonio Tajani, expressed a different view from Berlusconi. Tajani, who is expected to be appointed as the next foreign minister, wrote on Twitter that FI supports Ukraine. Tajani emphasized, "The Ukrainians are heroes who have not succumbed to the horrors of war," and "The actions of Ukrainians to defend democracy and freedom will be recorded in history forever." He also stressed, "We always support freedom and condemn Russia for invading Ukraine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.