After four more years of political instability, Italy goes to the elections on September 25, and if the polls reflect the opinion of the voters, the right is expected to return to power after more than a decade, thanks to the revival of the "center-right coalition", which includes in its ranks four parties: "Brother Italy" led by Georgia Maloney, "League" led by Matteo Salvini and "Forza Italia" by Silvio Berlusconi and the Christian Democrats.
Matteo Salvini in the 2018 elections, photo: AFP
Matteo Salvini, made his party the largest in this bloc in the general elections in 2018, and decided to join with his party alone in a short-lived government in partnership with the populist left party "Five Stars".
The power of his party has weakened in the shadow of the new star of the Italian right, Maloni, whose political opponents have been close to her in the past to neo-fascist currents, in order to thwart the victory of the right.
Nevertheless, Salvini, a very close friend of Israel, is expected to play a senior role in the next government.
In an interview with "Israel Today" he undertakes to keep his promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, warns against the anti-Israeli anti-Semitism of the Italian left and explains that there is no "fascist threat" in today's Italy.
Ayelet Shaked and Salvini, archive, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
What are the chances that a new right-wing government will be formed after the next elections?
"A right-wing government? I would prefer to call it a government of reason, consistency and determination that will focus on work, security, development, values and traditions. I truly believe in the possibility of establishing such a government, not only because of the polls but according to what I see and feel in the conferences. There is a great desire for change. Beyond the experiment of the last unity government of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the "Democratic Party" (PD, center-left social democratic party) has been in power almost continuously since 2011 and often without a mandate from the citizens.
Now it's time to turn a new page."
What are the ideological differences between your party, "League", and the "Brothers of Italy" party?
"Together we control most of the provinces in Italy and hundreds of city councils, so the alliance between us is solid. "League" is a party that is proudly connected to the territory, promotes a local reality, with a long tradition of governance. Since it was founded as a federalist and liberal party, the DNA of "League" is connected to the values of democracy and freedom of the West.
We absolutely share the same main values: protecting the family, less taxes, autonomy and safeguarding Italian interests.
"League" today has more than 800 mayors throughout Italy, 6 governors, 6,000 local administrators."
"All of these constitute a unique and stable asset of capabilities. I am also proud to mention, as the leader of "League", that I organized a conference in the Senate in Rome on the subject of anti-Semitism, in order to expose the real scandal of our time. In this matter we maintain great vigilance, we do not fall asleep on guard and no one speaks More than us."
Salvini in the election campaign, archive, photo: AFP
Do you think "Brother Italy" has distanced itself enough from connections with fascist elements?
"Definitely and we are all looking towards the future. I believe that in 2022 it makes no sense to talk about "fascist danger". This is an issue that the Italian left uses in every election campaign against its opponents, in order to frustrate them. We are a democratic country and will remain so, without nostalgia for a past that, fortunately for us, does not will return".
In the past it was described as a danger to Europe. Now it's Georgia Maloney's turn to claim this title. Why are Italian right-wing parties so feared?
"First of all, I don't feel "right-wing" or that the "League" is right-wing. We care a lot about Italy's well-being, but we appeal to everyone, as evidenced by the fact that we are the party most workers vote for. The center-right as a bloc represents the majority in Italy but not the systems The mainstream newspapers and the mainstream in a certain intelligentsia of the left, which has a tendency towards intolerance and a not very democratic worldview. They paint those who do not share their views as enemies to be fought rather than adversaries to be dealt with. We are already in our own country so it is ridiculous to spread unfounded fears towards us".
"On the other hand, I think there is reason for international concern from the Democratic Party that some of its candidates, including heads of lists, have written shameful insults against Israel and its right to exist and defend itself. The spiritual man Paolo Maili stated in an interview with the Italian newspaper "Libro" that these are not isolated cases but common behavior in the ranks of this party In it lies a nucleus whose "cultural roots lie in the history and values of the (Communist) October Revolution." And as Miley goes on to explain, this party is still dominated by an age-old distrust of the US and Israel.
The spirited journalist Fiama Nirenstein (now a citizen of Israel) also revealed in "Il Giornella" the left's "use of anti-Semitism as an anti-Israeli consensus weapon" and mentioned the senior member of the Democratic Party, Laura Boldrini, former president of the House of Representatives, who invited Muhammad to the parliament Ahmad a-Tayyib, an imam who called for the annihilation of Israel.
I am furious and worried about this phenomenon."
Iranian nuclear facility, photo: AFP
The latest polls also predict a strengthening of the "Democratic Party" after many years of crisis. What is the reason for this?
"I always treat the polls with caution and believe that the left will be severely punished in the next elections. The victory of "League" and the center-right bloc will be the best guarantee that haters of Israel, such as candidates of the Democratic Party, will not be able to influence the policies of the Italian government. Against those who still have opinions strong anti-Semitism, I suggest that we dare to expose the general public to the important contribution of Judaism to Italian history and more generally to European history. The enemies of Israel in Italy, in Europe and in the world are the enemies of freedom and democracy and my enemies."
If a future right-wing coalition does win the next election, will you stick to your promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the Italian embassy there and make sure that this promise is implemented?
"Definitely, although I repeat and emphasize that this is a center-right coalition. I gave my word, I am fully committed to the people of Israel and I intend to keep my word."
What should be Italy's policy towards Iran and does "League" recognize Israel's right to use all means, including military ones, to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear arsenal?
"A democracy like Israel has the right to defend itself against any threat to its existence and freedom. Iran continues to implement dangerous policies for peace and stability in the Middle East.
The nuclear weapon in the hands of the Israelis will be dangerous for the entire world and this must be prevented at all costs, even if I very much hope that a diplomatic solution can be found."
Does the war in Ukraine play a role in the election process in Italy?
"Definitely. 'League' has always emphasized the importance of achieving peace through a diplomatic solution that does not humiliate one of the parties. We declared that Italy should use its international position to enable dialogue between the nations within the framework of a stable alliance with other European parties. I want to make it clear: I believe that the invasion Ukraine for all its consequences, and the human suffering it causes - which I experienced when I was the first Italian leader to visit the border between Ukraine and Poland, is unacceptable. I will add another diagnosis: Europe is experiencing a dramatic crisis due to the rise in energy prices, therefore we must find alternatives for supplies from Moscow and renew the EastMed project - Poseido, the gas pipeline that will connect Italy and Israel."
The war in Ukraine, photo: Reuters
Is there any reason to fear Russian interference in the Italian elections?
"Absolutely not. Let's not joke. The Italians will vote. Those who talk about possible Russian influence, that is, the left, are looking for an alibi because they know they will lose. Like the elections in Israel, the vote in Italy will be free and transparent."
You were put on trial on strange charges after the Interior Minister prevented the arrival of illegal immigrants in Italy. Right-wing leaders in other countries were also persecuted by the judicial system - in France, Austria, the USA, Israel. Do you see a concerted political effort to use the justice system to incriminate powerful right-wing leaders?
"I'll speak for myself: I could be sent to 15 years in prison because I defended Italy's borders, by stopping ships that transported illegal immigrants and which later encouraged human trafficking. I'm on trial because the left-wing majority in the Italian parliament voted to put me on trial. When she can't beat us Politically, the Democratic Party - which has candidates who are enemies of Israel, and its allies, are trying to win in court."
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