All-round interview with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on the budget law adopted by the Meloni government, the US elections and the prospects for the party he leads, namely Forza Italia.
Minister, you have hinted that some aspects of the Budget Law should and can be changed.
“On the whole the Budget Law is fine. After all, the goal is economic growth. In my opinion, however, there are some rules that should be changed during the debate in Parliament. We are against imposing Ministerial auditors for companies receiving State subsidies. We need less, not more State. Chartered accountants also agree with us. There is no need for statist regulations. The same holds true for freezing the turnover of law enforcement agencies’ staff: we are in favour of more security, and therefore we cannot agree on reducing our officers on the streets”.
Are there any other aspects on which you would like to see economic action?
‘Minimum pensions should be increased; for this reason, however, we need to reopen the so-called concordato fiscale (tax settlement arrangement). We also have our own proposal on the taxation of web businesses: we should tax the giants operating on the Internet, not the small businesses. Reducing personal income tax (IRPEF) still further and increasing minimum pensions, however, remain our priority goals.”
In a few hours we will know the outcome of the US elections.
“Italy is a fundamental partner for the USA, also thanks to the community of Italian-Americans, who have significantly contributed to the history of the United States of America. I want to make an appeal to whoever will be Joe Biden’s successor at the White House: do not turn your back on the Mediterranean and African issues. The Ukrainian and Middle Eastern fronts are obviously essential for the future of the planet, but the Mediterranean and Africa are also very important dossiers. I am convinced – in any case – that the US elections may bring about some changes within the USA. But the United States, externally, will continue to look to Europe. We are the other face of the West.”
You remain a staunch supporter of common European defence.
‘I am a supporter of NATO and of common European defence. Europe needs to become an ever stronger player in the Atlantic Alliance. But to gain strength we need to establish a common EU defence.”
In Italy, an election has just taken place in Liguria, with the victory of Bucci. Do you believe that whoever represents the Centre wins?
‘Of course. And the pattern also applies to the elections in Umbria and Emilia Romagna. Forza Italia can and should occupy the space between Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein, also attracting former voters from the socialist area and the Christian Democrats who used to vote the Democratic Party. By now the coalition composed of the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement has nothing to do with the Centre. The positions of Elly Schlein, Giuseppe Conte and Nicola Fratoianni are overlapping and they all look to the Left. Forza Italia’s task is to stay in the Centre and lead the centre-right coalition to victory in the 2027 elections as well’.
The government has no intention of giving up on the “Albania model”.
“We will not give up. What certain judges have decided and put in place is completely instrumental. There is a problem with the separation of powers: the judiciary cannot take the place of politicians. The list of safe countries is the one that emerged from the Decree. It should be specified that those centres – as can be seen from images and pictures – are anything but Third World realities. Albania is not Rwanda. The government has an overall plan on immigration, which not only concerns Albania, but also the Mattei Plan, which is the core of the government’s vision on the issue.”
Relations between the EPP and the ECR seem to be improving.
“There has always been dialogue. I recall that I was elected President of the European Parliament thanks to an agreement between the EPP, Conservatives and Liberals. At this stage, I am strongly supporting Raffaele Fitto’s candidacy as vice-President of the EU Commission.”
With specific reference to the so-called Ius Italiae , however, Forza Italia‘s position differs from that of FDI and Lega.
“I think the centre-right coalition has to keep up with the evolution of our societies. Today, citizenship is granted in many ways. Through Ius sanguinis, concessions are sometimes too easy, if not fraudulent. We discovered that citizenship was recently granted to five members of Hezbollah. This is not possible. The obligation to follow a course of study for 10 years, instead, is a criterion that respects Italian identity and helps to foster actual and effective integration. Just yesterday I congratulated Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the British Conservatives. She is not of British descent and yet she has identity-based positions. Who knows…in the future Italy, too, may express a leader with a similar background and path. We have to invent nothing, just take ancient Rome as an example: not all Emperors were Roman. I would say that – for the purpose of becoming Italian – it is important to envisage that young people have to study Dante, and choose to master Italian culture.”
Rome does not seem ready for the Jubilee.
“We must do everything to ensure that Rome is more than ready for the Jubilee. Also as Foreign Ministry we are in the front line. For example, I want to say that we need to be careful about indiscriminate linear cuts on the metro. Because by dint of making cuts… However, you will see that, thanks to the coordinated efforts of all those involved, including the government, the capital will be up to the task.”
Do you live in Rome?
“No in Milan, but I am from Ciociaria, from Alatri. I still remember when the Alatri football club’s fans got together to demand that, as I was from Ferentino, no one from Alatri should vote for me in the European Parliament….”.
Alatri, anyway, massively voted for you.
“True!”.
