“Enough of the Italian anomaly, I will rule for 5 years”

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloniexplained her program this Tuesday before the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to be invested, a vote that does not represent any problem for the far-right given her majority in the hands of Matteo Salvini Y Silvio Berlusconia coalition with “different sensitivities for a higher interest”, said Meloni, grateful to her partners, at the beginning of her speech.

Aware of the attention paid to her words beyond that parliament and the Italian borders themselves, the president intervened in a serious, institutional and pro-European tone, committing herself to “putting the interest of the nation before individuals or parties” and the stability: “Enough of the Italian anomaly. Let’s give life to a fully representative government of the popular will”, he has proclaimed.

[Meloni pide ser llamada “el primer ministro” y rechaza usar el femenino]

Before getting into the matter, Meloni has also addressed those who – he believes – want to protect his task, who do not trust his government: “I would tell them that they can spend their time better. In this room there is an opposition that can make itself heard without needing foreign aid. They disrespect not me, but the Italian people, who don’t have to take lessons”. To all of them he has insisted: “We will govern for five years.”

Europe

Italy “respects the rules of the European Union” but “will contribute to changing some of them”, such as a renegotiation of the stability pact, has advanced, sure that questioning the functioning of community institutions does not make you an “enemy or heretic” . Her objective “is not to slow down or sabotage integration, but we need a more effective one to face the great challenges,” she defended.

Meloni, differences aside, has assured that he will cooperate with the Union: “Only an Italy that respects its commitments can have the authority to ask at European and Western level, for example, that the burdens of the international crisis be shared in a more balanced way. This is what we intend to do, starting with energy.”

On this issue, energy, Meloni considers what was addressed in the last European Council “a step forward”, but “insufficient” in that there is still no common response to the challenge of Vladimir Putin. “On prices -he assessed-, the mere discussion of containment measures has curbed speculation, but if the announcements are not quickly followed by effective mechanisms, speculation will restart”.

Inflation

The prime minister, who has defended the fracking -“the sea has gas deposits that we must exploit to the maximum”-, it is proposed to create “a barrier to expensive energy” by reinforcing “support measures for families and companies”. Also, prepare budgets with social sensitivity “in the most difficult economic context since the post-war period”. 2023, he lamented, “will be a year of recession, the data is clear”.

To deal with inflation, Meloni has proposed “intervene with measures aimed at increasing the disposable income of families”, which includes tax cuts or the increase of products with a reduced VAT of 5%. The plan will be detailed in the budget project, the president has promised before the Chamber of Deputies.

On debt, Meloni is against “blind austerity or creative adventures.” The only way, she has claimed, “is structural growth.” “We are open -he added- to foreign investment, but without predatory logic. (…) I want to say that if this government manages to do what it has in mind, betting on Italy can be not only a safe investment, but maybe even a bargain.”

Immigration

One of the sections that generated the most interest in his speech was the one regarding immigration, security at the borders. Meloni has focused on “eliminating the causes that lead migrants, especially the youngest, to abandon their land, their cultural roots, their family to seek a better life in Europe.” “What we do not intend in any way – she has pointed out – is to question the right to asylum of those fleeing from wars and persecution. We will go against the mafias”.

Meloni has again condemned fascism, as he did to the surprise of many in August. “I have always considered the racial laws of 1938 the lowest point in Italian history, a shame that will mark our people forever. The totalitarianisms of the 20th century have torn apart all of Europe, not just Italy, for more than half a century. (…) I have never felt sympathy for anti-democratic regimes, including fascism.”

The president has not avoided being the first female head of government: “She is among the many burdens that weigh on my shoulders today,” she said, before addressing the Italians: “When I think about the magnitude of this event, I feel the responsibility that I have with all the women with difficulties to assert their talent”. Meloni wanted to remember those who “built that ladder” that has allowed him to “break the glass ceiling”.

[Macron, primer líder con el que se reúne Meloni: “Juntos para los grandes retos”]

Meloni has delved into what it has cost her to get to the place she occupies, in addition to being a woman, and has ended up vindicating herself: “I come from a cultural area often confined to the margins and I have not arrived here in the arms of a family and friends influential. I represent what the British would call the underdogwhich must demolish all odds to assert itself”.

Aged 45, he was sworn in on Saturday before the president of the republic, Sergio Mattarellaand took office on Sunday in a symbolic act of transfer of powers with his predecessor, mario draghi. His government has 24 ministries.