Emmanuel Macron said Friday, October 21 "
ready to work
" with the future president of the Italian Council Giorgia Meloni but clarified that he would only meet her in Rome, where he is going on Sunday, if it was "
useful
".
The leader of Fratelli d'Italia, who won the legislative elections at the end of September, was to be appointed head of the Italian government on Friday afternoon by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
“Nothing else is planned”
Emmanuel Macron recalled that his trip to Italy was centered around participation in the opening of a forum on peace organized by the Catholic community Sant'Egidio and a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
A private lunch with President Mattarella is also scheduled for Monday.
“
At this stage, given the institutional uncertainties, nothing else is planned
,” explained the French head of state.
“
I will see with President Mattarella on Monday, precisely according to institutional developments and what he recommends, what I will do, but I also want to respect what is diplomatic usage and habit, it is that when you travel for a trip to the Vatican, it is first and foremost a trip to the Vatican
,” he added.
“Fully ready to work” with Meloni
Asked about his availability to meet Giorgia Meloni on this occasion, he assured that he was "
completely ready to work with her
".
“
I want to respect customs vis-à-vis the pope and I also want to be able to talk to President Mattarella and be able to do what is most useful, while being respectful, so we will see it on Monday
,” said he continued.
For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, also present in Brussels for what was the last European summit of outgoing Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, considered that the results of democratic elections could "
not spoil the good relations
" between the Germany and Italy.
Read alsoItaly: the Meloni era begins with two victories for the far right
“
We continue to work on our cooperation
,” he assured.
Even before the arrival of Giorgia Meloni at the head of the government, a pass of arms opposed Rome and Paris.
The French Minister for European Affairs, Laurence Boone, had warned in early October that France would be "
very vigilant about respecting the values and rules of the rule of law
" in Italy.
Giorgia Meloni then denounced “
an unacceptable threat of interference
”.
Emmanuel Macron had meanwhile assured that he wanted to work "
with good will
" and "
requirement
" with the future President of the Italian Council, whoever he is.
