Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Italian political party Fratelli d’Italia, dismissed the idea of a technocratic government in Italy during a press conference in Malta. She reassured that the current government was stable and handling the complex situation with seriousness. Meloni also argued that Italy’s economy was solid and growing above the European average, dismissing concerns about the increasing spread.
Concerning the issue of migration, which dominated the agenda of the summit, tensions remained high between Rome and Berlin regarding the role of NGOs and the discussions on the Migration and Asylum Pact in Brussels. Meloni arrived in Valletta to seek common ground among the Southern European countries on migrant management. She received support from her counterparts and spoke about a broad convergence on the topic. This convergence could lead to progress during the upcoming informal European Council meeting in Granada, Spain, on October 6.
Meloni also met with French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, receiving support from Macron who emphasized the need for solidarity with Italy. Macron also urged the quick implementation of von der Leyen’s plan. However, it was Meloni’s sharp response to Germany’s position that made headlines and renewed the standoff between the Italian government and the German Chancellor’s office regarding the role of NGOs. The discussions on this topic were effectively halted during the General Affairs Council in Brussels.
Meloni openly criticized Germany and challenged Olaf Scholz, the German Finance Minister, by announcing that Italy could propose an amendment in response to Germany’s proposal in the Migration and Asylum Pact. The amendment would hold NGOs responsible for the reception of migrants they transport. Meloni argued that if Germany wanted to step back on the issue of NGOs, Italy would propose that the responsibility for welcoming migrants should lie with the country whose flag the NGO vessel flies under. She emphasized that solidarity should not be exercised at the expense of others’ borders.
Meloni concluded the summit by stating that the migration issue could not be confined to the borders of one single European nation. Without structural solutions, all countries would be overwhelmed by the issue.