Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the sole European leader at the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump for his second term, having been dubbed the "chosen one" by Trump to supposedly "straighten out the world." She positioned herself as the only European capable of de-escalating Trump's trade wars, but the US-Israeli war on Iran has severely tested this cozy relationship.
Last weekend, during a visit to the Gulf region, Meloni stated that "we do not agree" with the war, and Italian authorities refused to allow US bombers to refuel at a military base in southern Italy. This marked the starkest sign yet of her saying "No" to Trump. Roberto D'Alimonte, a political science professor at Luiss University in Rome, noted that Meloni initially aimed to bridge Trump and European allies, but this has now become a liability.
Polls indicate a solid majority of Italians oppose the Iran war due to soaring energy prices, with positive views of Trump plummeting from 35% to 19%. Meloni cannot ignore this ahead of key elections next year. Last month, voters rejected a judicial reform referendum proposed by Meloni, which analysts say was largely a protest against her unwavering support for the increasingly erratic American president.
The war poses not just political but major economic concerns. Italy is the EU's second-largest natural gas consumer after Germany, relying on it for about 40% of its energy needs. With about a fifth of global energy exports stuck in the Gulf due to the conflict, Italy's economy is suffering. The Bank of Italy cut growth forecasts, and the national deficit breached the EU's 3% limit, hindering fiscal flexibility.
However, Meloni is not severing ties with Trump entirely. In mid-March, she ruled out sending military vessels to the Strait of Hormuz despite Trump's demand, aligning with other European countries, but has not condemned the conflict outright. D'Alimonte described her as cautious and pragmatic, likely to distance herself gradually without breaking relations.
Source: www.aljazeera.com