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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The prime minister ruled out changing course on Ukraine for the sake of the elections.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected the suggestion that ahead of the elections 2027 year she might form a coalition with political forces that oppose military aid to Ukraine.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio, Meloni said she is not ready to give up her beliefs for electoral gain.
“Giorgia Meloni is definitely not going to do the opposite of what she has done so far, or what she believes in, for political or electoral calculations,” she said in response to questions about whether she had drawn clear “red lines” for forming a coalition.
Her remarks served as a warning to Roberto Vananza— a former general who has become a far-right politician and openly criticizes the EU and military aid to Ukraine. He is attempting to exploit discontent with Meloni’s policy toward Europe and her foreign policy course.
“Anyone seeking a prime minister who changes their mind depending on which party has more support, always and exclusively for personal gain, should look for someone else. I am a serious person and I will not tailor myself to any circumstances,” Meloni said.
Next year the prime minister is due to face voters again. Recently she became the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the Italian Republic.
Vanacci’s rising popularity in polls could complicate Meloni’s coalition-building for a second term.
“For me, over these years, from an electoral point of view, it would have been more advantageous not to support Ukraine than to support it,” Meloni said.
“I supported Ukraine not for Kyiv’s sake. I supported Ukraine for Rome’s sake.”
The question of defense spending has already caused tension within Italy’s ruling coalition, notably in relations with the League party of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
According to Meloni, Italy could lose everything in an international system where peaceful coexistence rules between states are being eroded and the “law of the stronger” begins to prevail.
The prime minister also defended increasing defense spending, acknowledging that the decision is unpopular among Italians.
According to the Eurispes annual report by the private research institute, more than 44% of Italians currently perceive defense spending as a burden for the country, while 32,1% view it as a strategic investment. Almost a quarter of those surveyed were undecided.
“Of course, talking about needing to spend money on defense is unpopular. But unfortunately, it is necessary,” Meloni said.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Мелоні: Підтримувати Україну було невигідно електорально, але це потрібно Італії". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: ZN.ua.
