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Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani: «In Brussels the EPP will decide the roles. I have declared the objective of Forza Italia for some time: it is 10%, to reach 20% in the Policies”
Minister Tajani, Meloni asked Italians to vote for “Giorgia”: is there a risk that the Brothers of Italy will take away votes from Forza Italia? That in some way the coalition will be affected by this great exposure of the prime minister?
«We are different political parties, we address different electorates: it is a strong element of the centre-right coalition. Forza Italia’s task is to gather a large segment of voters between Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein, that large number of moderate citizens who recognize themselves in Christian, liberal, guaranteeist and pro-European values. I am building the “home” of the Italians who believe in all this. The “home” of European popularism in Italy. The results are not lacking. Yesterday, Monday, we signed a document of support for Forza Italia by many mayors and civic movements from across the country, from Scajola (Imperia) to Lagalla (Palermo), from Brugnaro (Venice) to Baccini (Fiumicino) and Ghinelli ( Arezzo), just to name a few. And to strengthen this project I have decided to run for the European elections myself, to make my 30 years of experience in Europe available in the ranks of the European People’s Party.”
Unlike Salvini, you were on stage in Pescara: you said that the first thing is loyalty between allies, how is this loyalty concretized? Meloni teased Salvini on the “bridge” and in any case you will be competitors. You yourself said that the reasons for the EPP in Europe come first and then any technical candidatures. Do you think the same way with Meloni on this?
«What is loyalty? It means always telling the truth openly, not giving up your identity, but working together for the common good, always playing cards open with your allies, without lending yourself to palace maneuvers. Precisely for this reason I reiterate that on the basis of the Treaty of the European Union the next president of the Commission must be nominated by the European People’s Party which will undoubtedly be the first political force in Brussels. It is not a choice against someone, but the defense of the centrality of politics.”
You said that a technical figure like Draghi is unlikely to be compatible with the leaders of the European institutions, given that he does not have a political family.
«I believe in the primacy of politics, in the strength of democracy and its processes. Electoral legitimacy is a fundamental element for the creation of a leadership that is effective and recognized by citizens.”
The opposition accuses you of running an electoral campaign that is far from citizens’ problems. Don’t talk about healthcare, don’t talk about bureaucracy, the justice reform appears weakened and you are in great difficulty regarding taxes due to lack of resources. What does he answer?
«They are all baseless. Let’s start with healthcare: the government has approved interventions to cut waiting lists. Bureaucracy: Minister Zangrillo has been working for a year and a half to make the bureaucratic machine more effective. Tax: we have cut the tax wedge and we have reformed the Irpef rates, and it is the beginning of a path that will see the tax relief of production bonuses. Justice reform is a priority, we will soon approve the separation of magistrates’ careers.”
Italy holds the presidency of the G7. What is the first objective, considering that there are two wars going on?
«The first strategic objective is peace, a just peace in Ukraine with the withdrawal of the Russians from the occupied territories. And then an agreement in Gaza to start the political process that will lead to “two states for two peoples” who recognize each other and can live in peace. These are objectives we are working hard towards.”
What is your minimum goal for the European Championships?
«I have declared the objective for some time: it is 10%, to reach 20% in Policies. It seemed like a slogan when I launched it in Paestum last year, but today it is an objective that has already been achieved for some opinion polling institutes.”
Minister, you are in Arabia S at this timeaudited, in a country that has an increasingly greater diplomatic weight in the Gulf, but which is certainly not a champion of human rights. What could be the return in political terms?
«Saudi Arabia is a central country in the Gulf, the Middle East and Africa. He is a fundamental interlocutor for building a peace project in the most difficult area of the world. It is no coincidence that I am in Riyadh for a few hours, because these meetings with the ministers of Europe and the region can be decisive for unblocking the negotiations for the ceasefire, for the release of the Israeli hostages and for encouraging the immediate entry of aid in Gaza.”
Do you believe that a turning point towards peace in Gaza is possible?
«We are in a phase of pressing the parties to reach an agreement. In the last few hours many have been telling us that the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas could be at a turning point. Hamas has received a serious proposal.”
The recent seizure of Ariston Russia by the Russian government demonstrates that the collateral damage for the Italian economy is not small. What is he doing about this?
«On my mandate, the secretary general of the Farnesina summoned the Russian ambassador to Italy and challenged him on a decision that we consider unacceptable. We must make Russia understand that damaging Italian work in their country is a damage to themselves, a damage that further reduces their credibility in the world.”
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April 29, 2024 (modified April 29, 2024 | 10:46 pm)
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