The former Italian ambassador to the US sees the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington as an opportunity to enhance bilateral relations and potentially play a subtle role in mediating tensions within the European Union
An untraditional inauguration. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is among the foreign leaders attending Donald Trump’s inauguration today as the 47th President of the United States.
- While foreign diplomats often attend inaugurations as a formality, heads of state or government rarely participate.
- Meloni, a far-right nationalist leader, has gained attention for her political alignment with Trump and her pragmatic approach to international relations during her tenure.
- “This is a very, very important moment for a nation like Italy, which has extremely strong ties with the United States, to demonstrate its commitment to continuing, and even strengthening, that relationship at a time when challenges are global and interconnected,” Meloni said in Washington ahead of the ceremony, explaining the purpose of her presence.
A “fantastic woman”. Earlier this month, Trump lauded Meloni as a “fantastic woman” during her visit to Mar-a-Lago, underscoring their shared ideological affinity.
- Despite her right-wing roots, Meloni has adeptly navigated the geopolitical landscape, fostering strong ties with the Biden administration and maintaining Italy’s commitment to NATO and the G7.
A strategic opportunity. According to Giovanni Castellaneta, a seasoned diplomat who served as Italy’s ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2009, Meloni’s trip represents a strategic opportunity.
- “Among the major European Union states, Italy currently—whether one likes it or not—has the government most ideologically aligned with the incoming U.S. administration,” Castellaneta wrote in an op-ed for our sister website Formiche.net.
- “This relative closeness can serve as a strength, allowing Italy to outpace other European partners and strengthen bilateral relations,” he added.
A European bridge. Observers speculate Meloni could act as a bridge between the Trump administration and the EU, which remains wary of the US president’s approach to transatlantic relations.
- However, Castellaneta is cautious about such a prospect.
- “It is difficult to imagine governments like those of France, Germany, Spain, or Poland accepting the Italian Prime Minister as a mediator on their behalf,” he noted.
- Instead, Castellaneta suggested a more realistic scenario: Meloni leveraging her position in European councils to temper reactions to Trump’s decisions, aiming to reduce inevitable tensions between Washington and its European allies.
- “Meloni’s goal should be to stand out in Trump’s eyes among her European counterparts,” Castellaneta argued.
- By presenting herself as both an interpreter of the new administration’s intentions and a staunch defender of Italy’s national interests, Meloni could carve out a distinctive role in this evolving transatlantic dynamic.
