Portrait of Giorgia Meloni
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Giorgia Meloni on Europe

Pragmatic Atlanticist (strong)

TL;DR

Giorgia Meloni has pivoted from a sovereigntist stance to being a pragmatic, pro-Western ally within the European Union framework.

Key Points

  • She has championed a pro-Western line, reinforcing commitment to Ukrainian defense, even while her party previously opposed sanctions on Russia.

  • Her government formally ended Italy's participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative in December 2023, a move welcomed by Washington.

  • Meloni has focused on hardening the EU's external borders and enforcing restrictive migration policies, which she claims led to a significant drop in illegal immigration.

Summary

Giorgia Meloni's position on Europe has been characterized by a notable evolution from her past anti-European rhetoric to a more pragmatic engagement as Prime Minister. Upon taking office, she abandoned strict sovereigntist policy positions, opting instead for a cautious foreign policy aligned with European and transatlantic standards, similar to her predecessor. She has maintained cordial relations with the European Commission President and actively engaged in institutional politics in Brussels, which has earned her a degree of indulgence from the EU regarding Italy's compliance issues. This shift is evidenced by her continued support for Kyiv in the Ukraine conflict and her efforts to bridge relations between Europe and the United States, especially during the second term of the US President.

However, this pragmatic engagement exists alongside domestic rhetoric focused on national identity and a desire for a “Europe of strong nations,” which suggests a preference for national autonomy over deeper centralization. Her government has taken a hard line on curbing illegal migration, championing policies like externalizing migrant processing, which aligns with the hard right but has also seen her authorize significant work visas, illustrating a dual policy of symbolic firmness and economic necessity. While she has skillfully balanced her pro-Western foreign policy with domestic identity politics, her vision remains tied to a less integrated Europe, despite her current institutional role.

Key Quotes

First of all, we have to defend what we are, our culture, our identity, our civilization

Frequently Asked Questions

Giorgia Meloni has largely adopted a pragmatic stance toward the European Union since becoming Prime Minister, engaging constructively with EU institutions. She has moved away from outright opposition, focusing instead on maintaining Italy's role and securing access to EU recovery funds. This pragmatic approach is paired with a preference for a Europe of strong, autonomous nations.

Yes, her position demonstrably changed from her time in opposition. While in opposition, her discourse was often highly sovereigntist and critical of the EU institutions. In government, she has acted as a stable Western ally, embracing NATO and supporting the EU's mainstream foreign policy direction.

Meloni maintains a delicate balance by using nationalist rhetoric to appeal to her domestic base, particularly on issues like migration and identity. Internationally, she acts as a pragmatic conservative, supporting key alliances like NATO and aligning with key EU partners like the Commission President.