“What interests me is whether I am free to become Prime Minister. This is equality, not being called ‘the president’.” Words of Giorgia Meloni, interviewed by the New York Times “before becoming the longest-serving premier in Italy’s history,” as highlighted by correspondent Roger Cohen. The controversy over choosing to be called “the president of the Council,” in the masculine, now seems like an archival relic since many, finally even on the left, from one side of the Atlantic to the other, are now putting the woke ideology to rest.
The “heart” of Meloni’s American interview is obviously the relationship with Donald Trump: “It is clear that with him I believed things would be easier, given our convergence on immigration and woke culture. Things went differently,” admits the leader of Brothers of Italy, who has not spoken with the U.S. president for several weeks. When asked if she and Trump would speak after the summer break, she responds sharply: “Well, we’ll see.” “I continue to believe that the unity of the West is something very important. I do not decide Italian strategy based on my personal relationships,” Meloni emphasized.
However, the Italian premier reveals herself to American readers in a 360° way, not without irony. “I should have devoted myself to theater. Imagine how much more fun I would have had. I don’t know how I ended up here, but it went like this.” Again, on Italy in the world. For example, France and the hot topic of immigration: “I don’t think I am in a position to give advice to the French on what is best for them. Because I do not forget what was done to me,” is the jab at the verbal interference from the Élysée and the French government, especially in her first months at Palazzo Chigi.
“I don’t like the idea of a submissive Italy – she adds shortly after -, an Italy that sees itself as inferior to other countries.” Her goal, she explains, “is the greatest revolution that could happen in this National team, the revolution of pride.” Straight to the point because, she concludes, “my first rule is that I never say something I don’t believe. There is no way to make me say something I don’t believe in, my brain shorts out.”
As for fascism: Clearly, if we look at this history today, it is one thing. If we had seen it in the middle of those events, we probably would have perceived it differently, right? I know the name and history of all the young people sacrificed on the altar of antifascism.” And about Giorgio Almirante, founder of the Msi, Meloni has moving words: “He taught us something very important in terms of values. That you can fight your battle with dignity even starting from a very marginal initial position.”
