Berlusconi’s ties with Putin raise doubts in the government that Meloni intends to design

This Tuesday saw the light of Berlusconi’s new praise for Putin – “he is a peaceful and sensible person” – that Forza Italia was quick to deny. Hours later the agency LaPresse published the audios that accredited the veracity of the information.

“After a long time – Berlusconi is heard saying in a closed-door ceremony with parliamentarians from his party -, I have somewhat resumed relations with President Putin, who for my birthday (September 29) has sent me 20 bottles of vodka and a very kind letter. I have responded with bottles of Lambrusco and an equally affectionate letter”. The tycoon also assures that the Russian president considers him “the first of his five true friends”.

[Las diferencias de Meloni y Berlusconi: Il Cavaliere no quiere ser secundario en el Gobierno de una mujer]

This does not mean that Italy will not be a reliable partner within the European Union (EU) and NATO, but it does mean that Meloni will have an uphill road to inaugurate his own nationalist era if his coalition fails due to Berlusconi’s rebellions .

Moreover, even being aware of the symbolic change that would imply the most eurosceptic Executive ever seen in a founding country of the EU; Meloni has been working on her serene and moderate image for weekswhere even the current Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, He has contacted his European counterparts to discuss the political reliability of his successor. Meloni is committed to maintaining Draghi’s legacy in both the economic and political-international spheres, strictly adhering to the criteria of the rest of the countries of the Atlantic Alliance.

Meloni’s Government

What government has Meloni prepared? Most of his ministers would be from his party, the nationalist Brothers of Italy (HDI); but where he would also plan to distribute positions in favor of his two minority partners, the nationalist Liga de Matteo Salvini and the pro-European Forza Italia (FI) of Silvio Berlusconi. The surprise is that, in addition to political leaders, there would also be more technical ministers, somehow taking up the technocratic spirit of Mario Draghi and thus trying to give an image of reliability, in Italy and in Europe.

Giorgia Meloni, beyond becoming the first Prime Minister in the history of Italy, will have the task not only of leading the first nationalist coalition in her country; but also to keep his two minority partners, Salvini and Berlusconi, at bay. To guarantee her own governability, Meloni plans an Executive where she would be the prime minister and would create two crucial vice-presidencies: that of Matteo Salvinileader of the League, which also would be Minister of Public Works (which would guarantee control of the Coast Guard and thus continue its anti-immigration policy); and of Antonio Tajanithe former president of the European Parliament and dauphin of the Cavaliere, who swould be foreign minister (which would allow it to maintain a fluid relationship with the EU).

[Meloni provoca la primera crisis de ‘gobierno’: se reparte el Parlamento con Salvini sin Berlusconi]

The position of vice president has been rare in Italian politics in the last two decades, but in this case it could be useful to Meloni to guarantee a certain internal stability throughout the five years of the legislature that lies ahead, leaving satisfied to both La Liga and Forza Italia.

Both Salvini and Berlusconi are helpful but at the same time also an obstacle in the future Executive: Salvini supposes an element of closeness from the point of view of nationalismbut also a rival too similar to Meloni and could overshadow her if she obtained her fair weight within the Government. Berlusconinevertheless, represents a moderate and pro-European element for such a nationalist majority; but on the other hand The Cavaliereas he is showing in recent days, is constantly involved in controversy due to his extravagant behavior and marked by his political ego.

economy key

The key minister, both internally and internationally, will be Economy; wallet that Meloni would have reserved for Giancarlo Giorgettiman of confidence of the leguista Matteo Salvini, but belonging to the governmental and non-populist faction of the party.

Giorgetti, in recent years, has not only shown himself to be a moderate politician, but even before the arrival of the technocrat Mario Draghi, he has shown his political and personal appreciation for the former president of the European Central Bank (ECB). In fact, he has been its Minister of Economic Development. The possible appointment of Giorgetti as Economy Minister by Meloni would be an important signal of continuity and moderation both for the EU and for the financial markets.

The rest of the members of the Government could be thus formed in a matter of days (discounting the protagonists already mentioned): matthew piantedosi (Inside), Carlo Nordio (Justice), Guido Crossetto (Economic development), Adolfo Urso (Defending), Giordano Bruno Guerri (Culture), Robert Calderoli (Relationship with the Regions), agriculture (Gian Marco Centinaio), Anna Maria Bernini (University), Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (Ecological Transition), Marina Elvira Calderone (Worked), Francesco Rocca (Health), Giuseppe Valditara (Education), Raffaele Fitto (Relationship with the European Union).

When will there be a new Executive in Italy? Once the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies were formed last week with two presidents (respectively second and third position in the country); the head of state, the president of the republic, Sergio Mattarella, will begin this Thursday at 10:00 in the morning his round of consultations with all the parties from the Quirinal Palace, starting with those that have less parliamentary representation.

During the afternoon of Friday, Mattarella could already be receiving Meloni (along with Salvini and Berlusconi, since they are presenting themselves together in a coalition) to name her designated Prime Minister, that is, the person most likely to form a stable Executive, but who still needs of Parliament’s confidence.

[Meloni no dará Interior al “prorruso” Salvini, que amenaza: “El ministerio o solo daré apoyo externo”]

As of Friday Meloni, once the controversies generated by Berlusconi have been resolved, he could accept the position with or without reservations, where in the first case it will take a few more days to verify his numbers in both Houses. But if arithmetic accompanies him, Meloni will accept the position proposed by the head of state on Friday, and then swear in with his government team this Monday.

Moment from which he will have 10 days to obtain the confidence of both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. If everything unfolded without any surprises from his own allies, the future prime minister should have no problems in both votes, since in the last general elections it has obtained an absolute majority. In less than a week, the Meloni era could officially start.

Berlusconi as a stumbling block

The biggest stumbling block for the future Meloni government, at this time, will continue to be Silvio Berlusconi. After Meloni and Berlusconi met at the headquarters of the Brothers of Italy (HDI), where the tycoon went to make peace with Meloni after having branded her “arrogant” and “arrogant” a few days ago.

This Tuesday the tycoon announced his own list of ministers on the street, as if he himself had been the winner of the last general election. Taking advantage of Meloni’s media discretion, Berlusconi assured that the next Minister of Justice had already been decided, his candidate Elizabeth Casellatiwhen however not only was it not true, but also that decision will have to be made and announced by Meloni.

For the next Italian prime minister the most likely candidate will be Carlo Nordio. According to the press, which cites internal sources of the Brothers of Italy (HDI), Meloni and his people are surprised and annoyed in equal parts due to the behavior of the former prime minister.

What accounts for Berlusconi’s extravagant behaviour? At a time when the Italians have given full confidence to the radical right to provide, at least, institutional stability to the country without frequent executive falls; The Cavaliere he is asserting and weighing his parliamentary support within the coalition to wear down Meloni herself.

Instead of presenting itself as an element with proven experience and providing stability within the conservative bloc; Berlusconi, with his outbursts, is playing his own side game and calls into question his political credibility.

I don’t want it, is promoting a moderate image of Meloni in front of a Cavaliere populist and with delusions of grandeur. In the midst of political decline, Berlusconi has chosen to be the main character again, but in a film that is not his. And falsely closing the end of an era.