Giorgia Meloni and Europe
Giorgia Meloni's policy towards the EU balances pragmatic engagement with traditional national interests, focusing on greater EU action on migration, fiscal flexibility, and strengthened European defense autonomy, while maintaining strong Atlantic ties and working within EU structures despite earlier Eurosceptic rhetoric, making her a more moderate, results-oriented European leader than her past suggested, prioritizing Italian strategic goals like Mediterranean influence.
Key Pillars of Meloni's EU Policy:
Migration: A major focus is shaping EU policy for stricter external border controls, faster asylum processing, and agreements like the EU-Tunisia MoU, pushing for more EU responsibility for migrant arrivals in Italy.
Economic Pragmatism: She has adopted stricter fiscal policies to maintain credibility with Brussels, ensuring access to EU recovery funds, while advocating for more EU borrowing to handle shocks and flexible fiscal rules.
Strategic Autonomy & Defense: Meloni champions greater European self-reliance in defense, viewing it as crucial for political freedom and power, while supporting Ukraine against Russia.
"Geopolitical" EU: She pushes for a more assertive EU in global affairs, focusing on interconnectedness with the "Wider Mediterranean" through initiatives like the Mattei Plan, and sees the EU as a vital part of the broader West.
Strong Atlanticism: While pro-European, Meloni emphasizes strengthening ties with the US, seeing a unified West (EU + US) as essential against challenges from Russia, China, and Iran.
Evolution Since Taking Office:
Mellowed Rhetoric: Meloni has toned down anti-EU language from her campaign days, prioritizing practical cooperation and national interests within the EU framework.
Building Bridges: She's developed working relationships with mainstream EU leaders, despite some friction with France's Macron, positioning herself as a key partner.
In essence, Meloni seeks a more sovereign, strategically autonomous, and globally influential Europe that effectively manages migration and strengthens its security, all while balancing these aims with Italy's national interests and strong ties to the West.
Key Pillars of Meloni's EU Policy:
Migration: A major focus is shaping EU policy for stricter external border controls, faster asylum processing, and agreements like the EU-Tunisia MoU, pushing for more EU responsibility for migrant arrivals in Italy.
Economic Pragmatism: She has adopted stricter fiscal policies to maintain credibility with Brussels, ensuring access to EU recovery funds, while advocating for more EU borrowing to handle shocks and flexible fiscal rules.
Strategic Autonomy & Defense: Meloni champions greater European self-reliance in defense, viewing it as crucial for political freedom and power, while supporting Ukraine against Russia.
"Geopolitical" EU: She pushes for a more assertive EU in global affairs, focusing on interconnectedness with the "Wider Mediterranean" through initiatives like the Mattei Plan, and sees the EU as a vital part of the broader West.
Strong Atlanticism: While pro-European, Meloni emphasizes strengthening ties with the US, seeing a unified West (EU + US) as essential against challenges from Russia, China, and Iran.
Evolution Since Taking Office:
Mellowed Rhetoric: Meloni has toned down anti-EU language from her campaign days, prioritizing practical cooperation and national interests within the EU framework.
Building Bridges: She's developed working relationships with mainstream EU leaders, despite some friction with France's Macron, positioning herself as a key partner.
In essence, Meloni seeks a more sovereign, strategically autonomous, and globally influential Europe that effectively manages migration and strengthens its security, all while balancing these aims with Italy's national interests and strong ties to the West.
26-30, F
