A diplomatic snub. On Tuesday, Italian media reported that President Sergio Mattarella declined a meeting with Elon Musk—a meeting Musk had earlier described as “an honour” to have.
- The Financial Times indicated that the proposed discussion was linked to growing concerns in Rome over a potential €1.5 billion deal with Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service provider.
A message to deflect blame. Corriere della Sera relayed a “stunned reaction” from Mattarella’s entourage, questioning how a head of state could engage in negotiations with business leaders in sectors outside his constitutional mandate.
- This incident appears to send an internal message, ensuring that any fallout from a stalled agreement does not unjustly burden the President, whose role is limited to providing strategic guidance rather than directing policy.
Internal political divisions. The government is divided over satellite policy, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni—leader of Fratelli d’Italia—tasked with reconciling divergent views among her Deputy Prime Ministers.
- Matteo Salvini of Lega has declared he would sign for Starlink “tomorrow,” while Antonio Tajani of Forza Italiafavours a distinctly European alternative.
- Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli—a senior member of Fratelli d’Italia—stressed, “Meloni is not swayed by personal allegiances” with Musk.
- “Before deciding on satellite connections, we must assess the offer from economic, technological, security, and diplomatic perspectives,” he added.
Unconventional communication. Cirielli also addressed the role of Andrea Stroppa, Elon Musk’s representative in Italy, who recently threatened Fratelli d’Italia during discussions on the Space Bill and derided Minister Adolfo Urso.
- “I have never heard him mentioned by anyone truly influential in Italy,” Cirielli remarked in an interview with La Stampa, dismissing him as a figure searching for clout.
- Senator Claudio Borghi of Lega described Stroppa as “a product of our times,” suggesting that his unconventional communication style is becoming commonplace while expressing support for acquiring Starlink satellites to negotiate tariffs with the US administration.
- Claudio Velardi, a veteran Italian lobbyist and current director of Il Riformista newspaper, warned that an overly aggressive approach risks alienating the system.
- Musk’s role in the US government could quickly become contradictory if overplayed, he said in an interview with our sister website Formiche.
