Rome – The result of the German federal elections “should be evaluated positively” for at least three reasons: domestic policy, bilateral and international relations. This was said by Antonio Tajani, leader of Forza Italia and Foreign Minister, who traditionally maintains excellent relations with the German EPP and reiterates his outright rejection to any hypothesis of a right-wing coalition: “It would be unnatural. The AfD is the denial of the EPP values and also looks at our country with hostility, as well as supporting completely unacceptable ideas. I am glad that those votes, mostly protest votes, turned out to be useless”.
Let us start with Germany: what can Merz’s victory bring?
“It is a clear victory, the victory of a party that knows how to curb extremism and has conducted a serious election campaign on issues that interest its voters: a sustainable and not unrestrained green policy, controlled immigration, security, growth.”
Obviously the CDU-CSU cannot rule alone…
«No, and it will do so with the SPD. In Germany there is a long tradition of large coalitions, which are made on the basis of clear and precise programmes. This time, however, the balance of power is very very clear: the government will be led and given momentum by the CDU-CSU, no longer by a centre-left government that disappointed voters, so much so that those who were in power came out of the elections very badly. Therefore, I expect stability, which is the prerequisite for any positive development, for Germany and for the whole of Europe, which will have a strong boost with the CDU leadership.”
Exactly: what does a supposedly stable Germany mean for Italy and also for Europe?.
“It means much for Italy. Our economy is closely linked to the German economy and vice versa: Germany’s growth would have positive effects also for Italy. We are Europe’s first and second manufacturing country – and this matters. The political approach is also similar. Therefore our ties will certainly be positive, both on green policies, and on immigration to be regulated and organised – be it illegal or regular – and on security, as well as on an even more important level”.
Which one?
“Precisely the European one.”
With a stronger Germany can Europe also be stronger in its relationship with the USA and other countries?
“Certainly a Germany that returns to be a protagonist and driving force on the economic level strengthens everyone, but the point is that with Merz we can think of moving forward on the path that truly strengthens the EU, the one that De Gasperi, Adenauer, Berlusconi dreamt of: a common European defence. Because this is the crux of the matter”.
With what money?
“In the meantime, let us think about increasing our contribution to NATO by raising it to 2 per cent, taking expenditure out of the Stability Pact. Then European defence shall be built by integrating our forces, making them homogeneous and effective. The openness on Eurobonds for defence investment is also very important, and the ideas of President von der Leyen help. We are talking about decisive instruments for those who, like us, have no intention of cutting spending on education or healthcare”.
Can Merz now be the privileged counterpart of the USA?
“We are all counterparts of the United States, individually and as Europe. There is no challenge of primacy. All parties will be needed at the peace negotiating table for Ukraine, namely the USA, Russia, Ukraine and obviously Europe, both because it had and still has a role in this conflict with sanctions, and because the issue also lies in building our future security.”
Hence how will the relations with the USA change?
“For us the policy line has always been clear: our pole stars are the USA in the transatlantic relationship and Europe. I believe it will be the same for the Merz government.”
How do you assess the result of the AfD?
“I think it really is a protest vote, coming mainly from East Germany for historical and economic reasons. The same holds true for the Linke, although obviously in a different way. The strength of the CDU is to have curbed those votes, and now be able to hold them at the margin.”
In the USA with Musk, but also in Italy with Salvini, there were those who supported AfD.
“Everything is legitimate, but I am glad that those votes turned out to be useless for the government. That party has nothing to do with a party like Italy’s League, for example. It supports ideas that nobody here supports, such as separate classes for differently abled children. These are unacceptable stances.”
In Germany, the proportional electoral system allows the extreme fringes to be isolated. Are you nostalgic about that system?
“I am in favour of proportional representation, but based on the model of voting for Municipalities and Regions, with a prize for the winning coalition. Unlike Germany, in Italy we have no parties to isolate. But I personally welcome a proportional representation system with preferences and thresholds, as well as majority bonus system.”
