Far-Right Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, Commutes to Residence in 'Domestic Car Brand'

"I, the Prime Minister of Italy, cannot drive a German car"

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is ringing the bell to announce the opening as she presides over her first cabinet meeting since taking office at the Prime Minister's residence in Rome on the 23rd (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Giorgia Meloni, the far-right-leaning new Prime Minister of Italy, entered the Prime Minister's residence on the 23rd (local time) on her first official day of work, riding in the Italian car brand Alfa Romeo's Giulia sedan.

Since Prime Minister Meloni succeeded in taking office under the banner of a "Strong Italy," her official car was also seen as reflecting a "sovereign" image.

According to local media, Meloni usually favors the German BMW-affiliated compact car brand MINI, but on her first day at work, she chose a domestic brand car.

After taking the oath of office, Meloni returned home in a German luxury car, the Audi A6, provided by the previous Prime Minister's office, but that was the only day she used an imported car.

It is reported that Meloni told the protocol office staff, "As the Prime Minister of Italy, I cannot ride a German car."

Among the official cars for the Prime Minister, only Audi and Volkswagen models were equipped with bulletproof features. The former Prime Minister Mario Draghi used a Volkswagen Passat. Although there was a Maserati bulletproof car, it was used by President Sergio Mattarella and for foreign dignitary protocol vehicles, so it was excluded from consideration.

Ultimately, the protocol office equipped the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan, which is the official car for ministers, with bulletproof features and provided it to Prime Minister Meloni.

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