MADRID, 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, began this Thursday the round of contacts with the different parties prior to the formation of a new government, a milestone that comes preceded by tensions within the right-wing coalition on account of the confessed affinity of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Berlusconi admitted in a meeting with members of his party, Forza Italia, that he still considered Putin a friend and even that the two exchanged gifts. He also charged against the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, whom he accused of provoking the war, according to the audios released by LaPresse.
Berlusconi has tried to qualify his words by defending European and NATO values, but the leader of the Brothers of Italy, Giorgia Melo, has made it “clear” that, if she becomes prime minister, she will not tolerate “ambiguities” in foreign policy from her partners.
“Italy is a full member, and with its head held high, of Europe and of the Atlantic Alliance. Those who do not agree will not be able to form part of the Government,” the far-right leader has sentenced, in a message to Forza Italia and also to the League of Matteo Salvini.
“With us in government,” he added, Italy “will never be the weak link in the West, an unreliable country.”
Berlusconi spoke again this Thursday to defend on Twitter as something “normal” that there are “discussions” within political forces that, although they are “allies”, are also “different”.
For the round of consultations, Mattarella first summoned the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, representatives of the Brothers of Italy and the League, respectively. The dialogue continues with the groups with less parliamentary presence and includes this Thursday afternoon the center-left formations and the 5 Star Movement (M5S).
On Friday, the right-wing parties called to form a government will parade before the President of the Republic and, if there are no surprises, Mattarella will entrust Meloni with the formation of a new cabinet. The president has room later to filter the list of ministers presented by the far-right leader.
