Mitsotakis congratulates Giorgia Meloni’s appointment as Italy’s first female PM

·

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female Prime Minister, was sworn in on Saturday alongside her cabinet.

Meloni, the leader of Brothers of Italy, a party with neofascist origins, has taken the helm of the country’s most right-wing government since WWII.

Meeting with the outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Sunday for a formal handover ceremony, Meloni said: “I did not expect this welcome … It’s an emotionally impacting thing.”

The pair held private talks for over an hour before Draghi handed Meloni a small symbolic bell used during cabinet debates.

In a tweet, Meloni wrote: “It begins. With great emotion but also with the awareness of the difficult challenges that await us.”

Meloni received congratulatory messages from world leaders after being sworn in on Saturday, including Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, US president Joe Biden, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.

In a tweet, Leyen said she had “a good call” with Meloni after she took office and that the pair “will work together to address the critical challenges of our time from Ukraine to energy”.

For his part, Mitsotakis said: “Warmest congratulations to Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Looking forward to working closely together for the benefit of our Euro-Atlantic family and the stability of our region.”

45-year-old Meloni takes power as Italy’s debt-laden economy is once again headed into recession, businesses buckling under the weight of soaring energy bills, and splits within her coalition over the war in Ukraine.

The new Prime Minister’s coalition government won the general election on 25 September, promising steep tax cuts, pension increases, a tough line on illegal immigration, and defending the traditional family.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella is flanked by newly appointed Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni during the swearing in ceremony in Rome on Saturday.

At the time, Greek Parliamentary Representative of New Democracy, Christos Boukoros told EURACTIV Greece: “Naturally, the prevalence for the first time of a post-fascist political force in Europe’s third-largest economy is a cause for concern.”

In his view, the main concern in Europe should be why more Europeans are being driven to “extreme political choices”.

“It is time for Europe to start addressing the causes instead of commenting on the results as an impassive spectator.”

Also speaking with EURACTIV Greece at the time was secretary of the opposition party SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Rania Svingou, who said: “the ghost of fascism has reappeared in the country that gave birth to it.”

“In this difficult period for the future, the democratic, progressive forces in Europe have a historic responsibility. To fight with unity and determination a two-front struggle against the neo-fascist far-right, but also against the neoliberalism that feeds it,” she added.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

SA Attorney-General reveals reasons for appeal against Snowtown killer’s parole

SA’s Attorney-General has detailed the reasons behind his decision to appeal the Parole Board’s release of Snowtown killer James Vlassakis.

Konstantinos Argiros raises $150k for new Children’s Gallery at Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum

Konstantinos Argiros has raised $150,000 to support the creation of the Hellenic Museum's forthcoming Children’s Gallery, opening in 2026.

Back to Greece: Four journeys, one shared return

As the Back to Greece series closes, what remains is more than a collection of travel diaries - it’s a mosaic of memory and identity.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

You May Also Like

Greek and Turkish diaspora unite in Australia to engage in dialogue on refugee challenges

Ahmet Keskin is leading an initiative to foster dialogue and understanding between Greek and Turkish communities through their diasporas.

‘The show’s spirit will continue’: Patricia Karvelas on hosting RN Breakfast for first time

Patricia Karvelas hosted her first-ever Radio National Breakfast show on Monday with the confidence of a well-trained professional.

Greek olive oil today: Production, use and export data

Greek olive oil is consumed in large quantities in Greece today. Still, the small population leaves plenty of oil for export.