Fulvio Martusciello, Neapolitan, born in 68, you have been in the European Parliament for 10 years and for the last 2 you have been group leader of Fi, the party that represents the EPP. What difference does it make to belong to the majority family of the European popular?
«It is fundamental, because the EPP will express the president of the European Commission and of the European Parliament. In 2019, Italy elected 76 MEPs but the 30 from the League and 14 from the M5s, who did not believe in Europe, ended up in the freezer, not participating in major decisions. All of Italy has paid for this weakness. For example, on the transition to electric cars, we asked for 2045 but the red-green majority, taking advantage of our weakness, imposed 10 years earlier. We were not 76, but 32 Italians fighting for our interests. Many members of the Northern League (9) and 5S, frustrated by the fact that all the amendments were rejected, left the groups.”
Which majority would you prefer after the vote and which do you consider likely?
«We are aiming for the one that elected Antonio Tajani at the helm of the European Parliament in 2017, popular, conservative and liberal, against the left wing. As for the probabilities, we know one thing: whatever happens, in the majority there will be the EPP and therefore Fi, while the many who speak against us in Italy will not have seats because they will be under 4%”.
Everyone says that Europe needs to be changed: for you blues, where should we start?
«It must be changed because we cannot maintain the principle of unanimity with which a single country blocks all the others, we must vote by majority. And we want a commissioner for the European lifestyle, because to follow political correctness we are giving in to our traditions and our rules.”
What, however, should be preserved from this European Union?
«The single market, the principle of freedom of movement, the major reforms for competitive markets, with real competition, the sense of a united Europe which is our only defense from China and India».
You are a champion of preferences, what matters most in this proportional system election?
«The personal and political relationship with the voter. In 7 electoral campaigns I have always respected my word, that’s why I don’t need to knock on houses but they open the door.”
Does it also count to distinguish oneself from the allies, to overtake the League?
«No competition, if anything the M5S is in the sights. It is important in the electoral campaign not to use arguments that have nothing to do with Europe, as the Northern League member does who does not want to let the EU flags fly or the left-wing candidate who wants to reinstate the wealth tax.”
How is Fi changing under Tajani’s leadership?
«We are truly a popular party, we are authorized to write in the PPE symbol as recognition that we are the only heirs of Christian democratic thought. Having a leader like Tajani is our pride, a nice business card.”
10% target?
“Votes are like hugs from children, they are never enough.”
