The road “is still long”, but for Antonio Tajani it is already well defined, at least in terms of requests. Of his party, Forza Italiaas an essential part of a Ppe that it must have «wide representation» having won the June 9 elections; and of the Italian government, which in Europe is forcefully calling for «un heavy wallet and a vice-president of the Commission.”
Starting today, with the first EPP meeting preceding the European Council, the Italian leader and Foreign Minister is ready to fight in Brussels on multiple fronts. And in Italy he has an equally clear horizon: working «for a great political project that brings together moderates, That reach 20%, that represents the home of Italians.”
Today the EPP is holding its first meeting to take stock of the alliances, tasks and weights of the next Union. What position does your party present itself with?
«Meanwhile, with the position of someone who achieved a great result at the European elections, it is today the third Italian party together with the SVP, and is precisely part of the European family that won the elections and which must reclaim its space».
What does this mean concretely?
«That it will be necessary to take into account the new European situation, the results obtained by the individual groups. The EPP won, the socialists did not win, the liberals had difficulties. This must be taken into account when assigning tasks, both at the level of states and of European institutional roles and the international framework. The EPP must be held in high regard by the top leaders.”
Even the right, some at least, have had a great result, like Le Pen.
«But they have too many differences with us popular people. I hope we can reach an alliance between popular, conservative and liberal people, but we are only at the beginning of a journey, we need to take into account overall balances.”
That is, isn’t a new agreement with the socialists to elect the next Commission ruled out?
«To date nothing can be ruled out. We will start to think about it now, at the level of European families and of course also of governments.”
And Meloni? Will he be part of the new majority or, as the German Scholz says, is he “extreme right”?
«That it is a right-wing party is a fact, but that it is too right or extreme right is not true. Meloni is head of the Conservatives, a historic political family that has already held positions and roles in Europe. Only Id remained outside. And the fact that there is a central force like ours in the government makes the Italian government and the Prime Minister stronger.”
But to be part of any majority FdI would have to vote for your candidates: do they remain Metsola for the European Parliament and von der Leyen for the Commission?
«Well it’s clear that to be part of a majority you have to vote for the candidates on whom you reach an agreement. Our people from the EPP are Metsola and von der Leyen. We’ll see what majority will form over them.”
Enrico Letta’s name is also mentioned for the European Council, given that it will be the socialists’ turn: would you be in favour?
«For us in the EPP he certainly has an important profile, also because he comes from the Christian Democratic tradition. But I really think it’s premature to name names. Surely, like Italy, we will ask for a powerful commissioner and a vice president. Italy deserves a central role.”
And what do you in FI as exponents of the EPP ask?
“We are interested in roles that are a structural part of our program, for example reform matters, the Constitutional Affairs commission, and industrial policy.”
Speaking of reforms, tomorrow most of the opposition will take to the streets to protest. Will you move forward or will you try to open the dialogue again?
«We have never been closed to dialogue, but we made the commitment to carry out reforms with our voters, not with the left. We promised them that we would work for the reform of justice, of the form of government and for autonomy. Because we want a more stable country, where those who invest, those who start a family, those who think about their future have certainties. And the premiership, a justice reform that makes it rapid and efficient, a system of autonomy to which we have contributed so that no one is left behind and so that the South is protected, help Italy.”
You often talk about an expansion of FI: are you thinking of opening the doors to politicians like Gelmini, Carfagna, Ettore Rosato?
«Ours is a political project, obviously open to anyone who wants to collaborate. But we’re not name hunting, we’re not interested. We are not moving to “plunder” the other parties, but to convince Italians that we are the only possible center that can attract moderates and give them the answers they seek. It’s not a question of individual personalities, it’s a project that looks far ahead.”
