The road to the history books seems paved in the face of Giorgia Maloney: the 45-year-old leader of the National Right Party, which opposes mass immigration and Islamization and expresses criticism of the European Union - "Brothers of Italy" (Fratelli d'Italia), is expected to become next Sunday - If there will be no surprises - for the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Italy.
The main rival, Enrico Letta from the Social Democratic Party, warns that Maloney is a danger to the country of the boot.
Her opponents on the left accuse her of right-wing extremism and ideological proximity to fascism, but Maloney, who heads a right-wing coalition that also includes Matteo Salvini's League party and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia, flatly rejects these accusations.
In an interview with Israel Hayom, she comes out strongly against anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism, which are common in the Italian left.
According to the polls, you are going to be the first woman to head the Italian government. How does this happen precisely within a masculine political environment, which is sometimes described as macho?
"Today's Italy is somewhat different from the macho stereotype that clings to it. However, it is clear that the first appointment of a woman as prime minister means breaking the glass ceiling that prevents women from reaching the institutional and professional top. I have placed myself in a male environment, and I often feel that I should have worked twice as hard It is more difficult to prove that I am only the better half of a man. But, in the end, I am proud that I grew up in a political family that chose me as its leader, because it recognized my skills and without needing a man to push me. One of the things that hurts the left is that it always had only statements about the role of women in politics. I will fight to give the same opportunities to all Italian women."
The elections in Italy are being held in tumultuous times - a threatening global economic and social crisis, the never-ending war in Ukraine, tensions between the US and China over Taiwan, another possible war in the Middle East over Iran's nuclear programs. What will be at the top of your priorities?
"First of all, in the midst of such a storm we must maintain control of the steering wheel. That is, for us, Italy's basic European and Western position. This is not only a statement of principles but a choice on which most of our decisions are based. The most burning issue of all of these is undoubtedly the support for businesses and families in dealing with With the high energy prices, since we will face a serious social crisis in the fall and we must do as much as possible to prevent it.
"After we resolve the emergency, we want to lower taxes to increase consumption power, unleash the forces of our economy, reduce bureaucracy to encourage investments, build infrastructure and get rid of all the pointless grants that fuel the welfare policy but do not advance the country."
The establishment of the European Union and the press on the continent see you as a threat to the European project. How do you see the future of relations between Italy and the European Union?
"The left promotes a narrative that is intended to harm me, but in fact paints Italy in a negative light and provides false arguments to those who want to keep Italy on the margins of the international stage. The truth, of course, is very different. Italy is a great nation that founded the European Union, is a major contributor to its budget and has the third largest economy The largest in the Union and the second largest manufacturing power, Italy's voice should have more weight and our national interests should be better protected, just as France and Germany do.
"As for the future of Europe, first the corona epidemic and now the war in Ukraine showed that the union was not prepared properly. For too long Brussels has expanded its powers in certain aspects of our daily life, without understanding the importance of formulating a common foreign and defense policy, of securing our energy independence, Preventing damage to our international prestige and returning strategic production to Europe. In these matters, I would like to see a Europe that does fewer things but executes them better, less centralization and more distribution of powers, less bureaucracy and more politics. This will be our contribution to the discussion on the future of Europe."
How would you define your party - "Brother Italy"?
"'Brother Italy' is part of the Italian conservatives. We support individual freedom, the centrality of the family, the preservation of Western, European and Italian cultural identities, as well as self-reliance, independent economic initiative and social unity. We are a modern, European and Western right-wing party, one of the pillars of the European conservatives (the conservative and reformist faction in the European Parliament, which is not the largest conservative faction of the people's parties), whose ranks include the prime ministers of Poland and the Czech Republic, and which I am proud to chair. We also have strong ties with the Israeli Likud party, with the British conservatives and with the American Republicans."
A shocking visit to Yad Vashem
The opponents of Meloni and her party warn against her and claim that this is the return of fascism to the leadership of the country, almost eight decades after the end of World War II.
"These are ridiculous accusations, coming from a desperate left that lacks any arguments. But I don't want to avoid the question since I know how sensitive the issue can be for your readers. 'Brother Italy' is part of the development path of the Italian democratic right, and since its inception it has gathered personalities From other center-right parties, from the Catholic and liberal worlds, those, like me, who continue on this path, consigned fascism to history already decades ago, firmly condemned the loss of democracy, the shocking anti-Jewish laws and the tragedy of World War II.
"Many of us have already held government positions in the past. I myself was the youngest minister in the history of the Italian Republic. We all swore allegiance to the constitution. Everyone knows that we have never been a threat to democracy and it is clear that we are not becoming such a threat now, although we are certainly 'dangerous' to the power structure of the Italian left , who was in the government for years without winning an election. The difference between us and them is that I don't spend my days remembering that only a little more than 30 years ago many leftists were members of the most powerful pro-Soviet party in the West. It is enough for me to catalog the damage done by leftist governments today, without digging in the past".
What is the ideological difference between your party and Salvini's "Liga" party?
"'League' was born from a regional party that at the beginning of its journey fought for independence and in the second stage for greater autonomy for the territories of northern Italy. We come from the tradition of a nationwide party, which pays equal attention to the north of Italy and the south. 'League' temporarily filled the void created by the decision the right to merge with Berlusconi and form a united center-right party - the 'People of Freedom'. We gradually returned to us the values of the Italian right and, as a result, our electorate, when at the end of 2012 we left this party to establish if 'Brothers of Italy.' We also made efforts to expand our electoral base. In recent years, 'League' has agreed to form a government with left parties and left movements, while for us to be an alternative to the left has always been a necessary political imperative."
Have you visited Israel? Are you going to do it soon?
"Yes, absolutely. I was on an official visit to Israel when I served as a minister in Berlusconi's last government. It was a very significant point in my journey, and of course the exciting visit to Yad Vashem. It was a moving experience. I will definitely return to Israel, I very much hope that soon. I considered traveling to Israel as part of my role as president The European Conservative Party, to which Likud is also affiliated, but the war in Ukraine, the political crisis in Israel and the advance of the elections in Italy have changed my plans. I hope to return to Israel as soon as possible, this time as prime minister, and discuss together with the new government in Israel cooperation and joint strategies, including plans for gas supply natural through the eastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea".
"Continue with Abraham's agreements"
Maloni emphasizes that for her the State of Israel is of great importance as a bright spot in the turbulent Middle East.
"Israel is the only absolute democracy in the Palestinian Territories, and we defend without reservation its right to exist and live in security.
I believe that the existence of the State of Israel is essential, and 'Brother Italy' will make every effort to invest in greater cooperation between our countries. This is the friendly attitude that the Italian center-right has always demonstrated towards Israel. The left cannot claim such a position, neither historically nor in the system This election, which brought to light repeated cases of candidates from the left who were caught writing posts with an anti-Semitic flavor on social networks."
Do you see continuity between those who call for the destruction of Israel militarily or through boycotts and traditional anti-Semitism?
"Yes, and I also think that one of the most common phenomena of anti-Semitism today is anti-Israel propaganda, to which European Jews can be exposed on the Internet. European Jews are also subject to a threat that comes not only from the bodies of the extreme left and the extreme right, but especially from radicalized Muslim immigrants who continue to be fed Resentment towards Israel. I am reminded of the recent death of Jeremy Cohen, who tried to escape an anti-Semitic attack in a suburb of Paris and was killed by a tram. Since this tragedy could have drawn attention to the failure of the immigration policy, only a few European media outlets chose to report on it.
"Therefore, as European conservatives and 'brothers of Italy' we resolutely support the EU's new strategy against anti-Semitism. Israel is and must continue to be an essential ally of the EU in its effort to eradicate this evil worldwide."
Will a government headed by you recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the Italian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
"It's a very sensitive matter, where I think the next Italian government, like its predecessors, will have to act in coordination with our partners in the European Union."
Italy has close economic ties with Iran. How, in your opinion, can the West prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, and how can Italy contribute to this?
"Sanctions on Iran have had a significant impact on many Italian companies that have built strong economic ties with Iran. However, this is certainly not the time for second thoughts on the matter, unless certain conditions are met. We are very concerned about Iran's role in the JTF, about the ongoing rapprochement between it and Russia and China, from their support for Hezbollah, which continues to threaten Israel's security, as well as from the IAEA report that stated that there is no effective supervision of its missile development.
Without additional guarantees for Israel, we believe it will be difficult to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement.
We firmly supported the Abraham Accords as a means of maintaining regional stability and curbing Iran's aggressive foreign policy, and therefore we believe that their implementation should continue."
There is a price for sanctions
In the last year, Europe has been dealing with a war in the Eastern Agfa, one that shakes the entire continent and may drag it into a frozen and harsh winter.
How can the war in Ukraine be stopped, and are you afraid of a wider war in Europe?
"The war on Ukraine is not only a flagrant violation of international law, an aggression against the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation and a demonstration of Russian expansion, but is an attempt to undermine the current world order to the detriment of the West and to the benefit of Communist China. This is a scenario that Europe must oppose with all its vehemence. The spread of war to nations Other Eastern European countries are a possibility that our Polish friends are warning us about, and which, unfortunately, we should not underestimate. For this reason, we must not stop supporting Ukraine. See, I say this clearly but also with great regret, also knowing the historical ties that connect Russia and Israel: b -2002 Italy hosted a summit of NATO and Russia to build a larger Western front and face together the threat of Islamic terrorism.
20 years have passed, this vision has stalled and Putin unfortunately crossed a red line."
Should the West and the European Union increase sanctions on Russia or soften the pressure on Moscow to promote a diplomatic solution?
"The Ukrainian counterattack these days shows that the stranglehold created thanks to the sanctions and the sending of weapons to Kiev is beginning to produce results, and I do not think that the sanctions regime will loosen. However, this raises the question of the ability of Europe and the West to withstand the economic and political cost of the sanctions, which clearly has a different effect on every country. There are even some Western countries that are getting rich from the situation that has arisen. That is why we call it time to establish a compensation fund, which will be financed by the European Union and NATO members (first and foremost the USA) and which will support the most vulnerable nations and prevent Russian propaganda from reaching those who will face this fall Enormous existential problems."
Personally, what is your favorite book, type of music, movies and food? Do you see yourself as a religious woman?
"My favorite book is Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', a wonderful and very useful story for those involved in politics, which teaches to place the fate of the community before the personal fate, and also not to be tempted by hunger for power. As for music, I listen to everything - from rock to classical music. Every episode My autobiography opens with a quote from a song, from Sheeran to Adele, through two Italian giants like Battisti and Battiato. My favorite movie is 'Brave Heart', a story of love and courage that was important to my generation. I love traditional Italian food. Everywhere I go I love to eat the local food, which is also an important identity factor. I am Catholic. I believe in God, and one of the ecclesiastical figures to whom I am most connected is Pope John Paul II."
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
