All posts tagged: Meloni

Meloni presses von der Leyen for energy carveout in EU spending rules – POLITICO

Meloni presses von der Leyen for energy carveout in EU spending rules – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Italy’s premier argued that in the same way that the stability agreement exempts defense expenditures from its calculation, energy-related costs should similarly not be taken into account. “We must have the political courage to recognize that today energy security is also a European strategic priority,” she insisted. Meloni added Rome would struggle to justify participation in the EU’s SAFE defense financing program if Brussels refuses similar flexibility for energy spending. Italy wants the bloc’s existing “national safeguard clause” — currently tied to defense investment — temporarily expanded to cover emergency energy measures as well. The Italian prime minister’s appeal comes at a fiscally fraught moment for Meloni. Last month the EU’s statistical body confirmed Rome’s 2025 budget deficit breached Brussels’ fiscal rules. The news came on the back of a major defeat for Meloni in a justice referendum, and will likely oblige the Italian government to limit expenditures ahead of a delicate election year, with her center-right coalition polling neck and neck with its center-left rivals. Since the Iran war erupted on Feb. 28 following …

US’s Rubio to visit Italy after Trump’s spats with Meloni, Pope Leo – POLITICO

US’s Rubio to visit Italy after Trump’s spats with Meloni, Pope Leo – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The visit comes just weeks after Trump attacked Pope Leo over the Catholic leader’s anti-war rhetoric, calling him “Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” That came after  Leo wrote on X  that “God does not bless any conflict.” Trump also shared an AI-generated image of himself as a Christ-like figure. Following rebukes from religious circles and some of his political allies, Trump removed the image. Trump also dismissed Prime Minister Meloni — who has been one of his closest European allies — as lacking courage after she defended the pontiff. For his part, the pope responded to Trump’s criticism by saying he had “no fear” of the White House and would not be silenced. Rubio met with Leo, the first American pope, in May last year, alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance after the two attended the new pontiff’s inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. There is no indication at this point whether Rubio will meet directly with the pope this week or with Meloni. Source link

Trump threatens Sánchez and Meloni with US troops withdrawal – POLITICO

Trump threatens Sánchez and Meloni with US troops withdrawal – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Sánchez has styled himself as a European counterweight to Trump, while Meloni — one of Trump’s European staunchest allies after his reelection in 2024 — has been distancing herself from the U.S. president recently, in a bid to save her premiership ahead of the national election expected in 2027. Merz said the U.S. is getting “humiliated” by Iran in the Middle East conflict. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto responded to the comments, telling media outlet ANSA he “wouldn’t understand the reasons” for a possible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Italy. The United States has around 12,000 armed forces personnel stationed in Italy, with only Germany having a higher number in Europe at over 36,000. Spain hosts about 3,800 troops, according to an overview published by the Pentagon in December. Merz long walked a tightrope to keep his relationship with Trump smooth, and Berlin, unlike Rome and Madrid, does allow the U.S. to use its Ramstein Air Base to coordinate military operations against Iran. Any U.S. withdrawal from Germany would cost billions and take years, while …

Mariska Hargitay Says Chris Meloni SVU Kiss Filmed, More in Interview

Mariska Hargitay Says Chris Meloni SVU Kiss Filmed, More in Interview

Published by Daniella Wilson

Mariska Hargitay, one of TV’s most beloved stars (she’s played Olivia Benson on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for 27 seasons, longer than anyone else has played a single character on an American primetime live-action show) and one of film’s most exciting new directors (her debut documentary My Mom Jayne won Critics Choice and Producers Guild awards), is the guest on the latest episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, which was recorded in front of an audience at the just-wrapped Napa Valley StreamFest. As you can hear via the audio player above or any major podcast app, and as you can read below in excerpts lightly edited for clarity and brevity, the 62-year-old Emmy and two-time Golden Globe winner reflected on the 1967 car accident that claimed the life of her mother, movie star Jayne Mansfield, and injured her; how, when she was 34, the age at which Mansfield died, she too almost lost her life in a road accident, and how surviving that changed her outlook on life; and why, …

Russian TV host brands Meloni ‘fascist scum,’ sparking diplomatic fracas – POLITICO

Russian TV host brands Meloni ‘fascist scum,’ sparking diplomatic fracas – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Russian Ambassador Paramonov dismissed Tajani’s protests in a post on Facebook, saying Rome had “missed the mark” by summoning him over comments made by a television host and insisting the remarks did not reflect the position of the Russian government. “No reasonable person would treat purely personal remarks as an official statement,” he added. Russia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request for comment. Rome has firmly backed Ukraine efforts to end the Russian full-scale invasion of its territory, with Meloni standing out as one of Kyiv’s most reliable European allies. The prime minister has ramped up military cooperation and recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks on expanding defense support, including drone production. That stance has exacerbated internal tensions in Italy, where far-right coalition partner the League, energy giant ENI and the opposition 5Star Movement have floated resuming Russian gas purchases amid mounting energy pressures. Meloni on Tuesday dismissed Solovyov’s tirade as propaganda. “A diligent propagandist of the regime cannot give lessons in coherence or freedom,” she wrote on social media, …

Italy’s Meloni suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

Italy’s Meloni suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

Published by Sam Flores

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government had suspended a defence cooperation deal with Israel, reflecting frayed ties between ​previously close ‌allies as the conflicts in the Middle East continue. Meloni’s right-wing government has been one ⁠of Israel’s closest friends in Europe, but in recent weeks it has criticised its attacks on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds and injured thousands. Source link

Italy’s Meloni halts defense pact with Israel – POLITICO

Italy’s Meloni halts defense pact with Israel – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

The move comes amid rising tensions between Italy and Israel, after Israel Defense Forces fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy outside Beirut, Lebanon on April 8. No troops were injured, but the Italian response was swift: Meloni called the attack “completely unacceptable,” while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome for a third time since 2024. The Italian government has been largely supportive of Israel over its war in Gaza and does not recognize Palestinian statehood. But the war in Iran forced the Italian leader to reposition herself. Meloni condemned Israel for preventing Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday, calling it “an offense to religious freedom.” And in a speech to parliament last week, she slammed Israel for its conduct in Lebanon. Source link

Italy’s Meloni travels to Middle East in bid to ensure access to oil and gas – POLITICO

Italy’s Meloni travels to Middle East in bid to ensure access to oil and gas – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

In an interview with TG1, Meloni said she had chosen to travel to the Gulf “as a gesture of solidarity” with regional allies. But she admitted the trip also had the pragmatic goal of securing Rome’s access to the region’s oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20 percent of the oil and natural gas that powers the global economy runs, is having a major impact on Italy. The Arab Gulf states supply the country with around 15 percent of the oil it consumes, and as prices have steadily risen during the last month Meloni’s government has allocated nearly €900 million to slash fuel taxes. The regional visit reflects Rome’s unwillingness to wait for Brussels to come up with a response to the bloc-wide energy crisis. Meloni on Friday said she would move independently to “to guarantee Italy has access to the energy supply it needs.” Source link

Italy’s Meloni Visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE Amid Gulf Tensions, Energy Worries

Italy’s Meloni Visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE Amid Gulf Tensions, Energy Worries

Published by Sam Flores

By Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer ROME, April 3 (Reuters) – ⁠Italian ⁠Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to ⁠Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will ​also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, a government official said. Meloni travelled to Jeddah ‌for the first visit by a ‌European Union leader to Saudi Arabia since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against ⁠Iran in February ⁠and was due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later ​in the day, the official said. The same source, who asked not to be named, said the two-day visit was mainly aimed at showing support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks and protecting Italy’s own energy ​supplies, as the government grapples with rising fuel prices. The official said Italy would confirm the ⁠intention ⁠of its majors – including energy ⁠giant Eni – ​to keep investing in the Gulf. Italy is already supplying Gulf partners with defensive weapons against ​Iranian retaliatory attacks and is ⁠open to assessing further requests should they be made, the official …

Italy’s opposition sees its chance to beat Meloni. But it needs a leader, and a plan. – POLITICO

Italy’s opposition sees its chance to beat Meloni. But it needs a leader, and a plan. – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Impromptu alliances Campaigning against Meloni’s judicial reforms was an easy rallying point for the opposition, as they could all pile on the prime minister for attacking independent state institutions. In Rome’s Piazza Barberini on Monday night, opposition leaders and activists from several centrist and leftist parties gathered to celebrate a result few had considered likely just weeks earlier. Supporters waved party flags and chanted as leaders from across the political spectrum shared a stage in a rare display of unity. But the fraternity shown on the piazza masked deeper divisions: The coalition that came together to defeat Meloni in the referendum remains far from agreeing on a common national program, or a shared candidate for prime minister. The on-again-off-again grouping often diverges sharply on issues such as military spending and support for Ukraine, as well as economic policy, with a significant gap between the radical populist left and the more centrist Democratic Party.   Schlein argued on Wednesday that the opposition must focus on concrete proposals. “We can’t just be against the government, we have to …