Slowly and in some ways hidden, the shadow of a possible worsening of the war between Russia and Ukraine is stirring the waters of the majority. And, above all, it risks complicating navigation after the European elections of 6-9 June, when first the heads of state and government of the 27 and then the new EU Parliament will have to indicate the future president of the European Commission. All steps on which the distance of approach between the three leaders of the government coalition risks being revealed, with Giorgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani on one side and Matteo Salvini on the other. Tensions that the prime minister may also have to manage during another important and very delicate transition such as the G7 summit scheduled in Puglia between 13 and 15 July under the Italian presidency.
An intensification of the war unleashed by Moscow against Kiev, in fact, risks significantly reducing the perimeter within which a majority can move, both in Italy and in Europe. Even yesterday Salvini argued with Emmanuel Macron who a few days ago evoked the possibility of a ground intervention in the event that Russia broke through the Ukrainian front lines and approached Kiev. “Whoever talks about sending our children to die in Ukraine is dangerous and must be stopped,” says the League leader. Who first defines the French president as a “warmonger” and then pinches the allies. «If certain Italian politicians, unfortunately also center-right, prefer Macron to Le Pen…», he says. And this is echoed by the deputy secretary of the Northern League, Andrea Crippa, who asks the EU and NATO for “a change of pace and the political will to dialogue with Russia”. Positions that are consistent with the choice to nominate General Roberto Vanncci as a candidate for the European elections. In his book The World on the Contrary, he is a great praiser of Russian policies on immigration and security and critical of the sending of weapons to Ukraine.
It is clear that today’s distinctions would become much louder tomorrow, if the scenario evoked yesterday by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in an interview with Il Messaggero were to occur: «Europe cannot accept Putin reaching all the way to Kiev». In short, although it is still a distant hypothesis, it is clear that there is a real concern if both Macron and Crosetto speak publicly about the possibility of Moscow accelerating. Antonio Tajani throws water on the fire, says that “there is no danger of war” and that Italy “will not send soldiers into the field”. But the Foreign Minister also responds to Salvini on the issue of alliances: “We are in the EPP and we will never make agreements with the AfD because it is an alternative to our way of thinking.” A dig at the Northern League member, who in the Id group militates together with the German ultra-right. And Tajani himself will open Forza Italia’s electoral campaign in Rome on May 13th in the company of Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission from the EPP who hopes for reconfirmation.
Meanwhile, through Crosetto, the government confirms the new military aid package for Kiev. And tomorrow morning Meloni – who will be on an official visit to Tripoli, Libya today – will meet the general secretary of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, at Palazzo Chigi.
On the table is Italy’s path to reaching 2% of GDP for military spending.
