In Italy, citizens have made their choice known and who they would vote for president in the US, as most Italian parties have, taking positions seriously.
THE conservative coalition of Giorgia Meloni who rules the country, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has tried to keep an even distance, but it is clear that most of the organized members of her party, the Brothers of Italy, are ”leaning” towards the candidate republican.
The main strong, common point they identify, as it turns out, is, first of all, the strategy to deal with immigration. In the event of Trump’s election, of course, we will have to see if Meloni decides to revise his position on Ukraine.
As is well known, he has so far approved all the manipulations of the Biden administration and has shown full support for Kiev, sending military aid.
Regarding the Treaty, its secretary and its Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvinihe is certainly the most fanatical supporter of Donald Trump, in the entire political life of Italy. “I hope he wins, stands for the future and defends rights and freedom,” Salvini said.
The common points of his party with the agenda of the Republicans have a main political importance, as he emphasizes: “from the protection of the family, to security, to the fight against illegal immigration and religious fanaticism.”
Salvini, in fact, compared Trump’s legal adventures to those of the Italian tycoon and former prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
Some others, however, preferred to wait. It is the case of the party Forza Italia, a creation of the “Cavaliere” itself. “We did not want to interfere in the election race in America.
We are friends of the United States and we will work effectively with them, no matter who is elected,” said the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the current leader of Forza Italia, Antonio Tajani, in recent weeks.
Regarding the opposition and the Five Star movement, he decided not to express a clear choice. ”Whoever wins, we should seek to maintain good relations, with the aim of protecting our national interests.
When it comes to candidates from foreign countries, I don’t want to express an opinion”, is the position of the leader of the “five stars” and former prime minister, Giuseppe Conte.
as far as the center-left Democratic Party is concerned, the support of Kamala Harris is clear. The secretary of the “Democrats” of Italy, Elie Schlein, emphasized that the vice president of the American government showed courage and emphasized the main issues, such as the right to housing, care, work and that all citizens should be paid reasonably.
Experienced commentator placements
Outside the realm of politics, of course, there are interesting positions from experienced commentators. Like, for example, Gianni Riota, former news director of the first television channel Rai and the newspaper La Stampa.
Ryota, who is well known in the United States, believes that social media and, in particular, TikTok will weigh more than ever in the final result.
With many young women, tiktokers, mobilized in favor of Kamala Harris and, respectively, men up to thirty years old who, with short videos, unreservedly support Trump.
Another experienced analyst, the American journalist Alan Friedman, who has lived in Italy for many years and published a biography of Silvio Berlusconi, made a clearer prediction: “I have a feeling that Trump will succeed, because in the past we have seen it too. he got more votes than the various gallops told us”.
According to Friedman, “many Americans are too embarrassed to say that they intend to vote for the Republican nominee and, for this reason, they do not answer pollsters.”
But who would support Italians if they had the right to vote in American elections? According to a gallop from the company Youtrend, 78% of respondents would trust Kamala Harris, and only 22% Trump.
It seems almost self-evident that 95% of Italian voters, center left The Democratic Party strongly supports the American vice president.
The most surprising thing, however, is that 49% of the citizens who chose Meloni’s party two years ago, according to this statistical sample, would “cross” the “Democratic” candidate.
As for the fans of the Italian “five stars”, only 15% of respondents choose the tycoon who received the anointing of the Republicans and set his sights on the chair of the oval office again.
However, based on Alan Friedman’s analysis, it would be interesting to understand if – even here in Italy – some would avoid openly declaring that they like and support them, as the new president said , Donald Trump.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Political Analyst on the Impact of Italian Views on the Upcoming US Presidential Election
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our discussion today! We’re diving into how Italian citizens and political parties are aligning with candidates in the upcoming US presidential election. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Sofia Rossi, who specializes in international relations and electoral studies. Dr. Rossi, thanks for being here.
Dr. Sofia Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating topic, indeed.
Editor: Let’s start with Giorgia Meloni and her party, the Brothers of Italy. It seems they’re leaning towards supporting the Republican candidate. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Rossi: Absolutely. Meloni, while trying to maintain an impartial stance, can’t ignore the pro-Trump sentiment within her coalition. The Brothers of Italy identify strongly with Trump’s immigration strategies, which resonate with conservative values in Italy. This alignment strikes a chord with their base, demonstrating a larger trend of transatlantic political sympathy.
Editor: So, the immigration issue is a focal point. What about other foreign policy aspects, particularly concerning Ukraine?
Dr. Rossi: That’s where it gets interesting. Meloni has shown unwavering support for Ukraine, following the Biden administration’s lead. If Trump wins, it could challenge her current foreign policy stance, as Trump’s approach might differ significantly from Biden’s. It’s a delicate balancing act for her party.
Editor: Speaking of pro-Trump sentiments, Matteo Salvini is a prominent figure in this narrative. He seems to be quite vocal about his support for Trump. How does he position Trump in the context of Italian politics?
Dr. Rossi: Salvini likens Trump’s legal troubles to those of Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, emphasizing a shared victimization narrative of political elites. He frames Trump as a champion of traditional values, which resonates with his supporters. This connection further solidifies the notion that Italian conservatism is deeply influenced by its American counterpart.
Editor: Now, not all parties are vocal about their preferences. Forza Italia, led by Antonio Tajani, is taking a more neutral stance. Why do you think that is?
Dr. Rossi: Forza Italia’s approach reflects a pragmatic view of international relations. By avoiding a direct endorsement, they emphasize the importance of sustaining friendly ties with whoever wins the election. It’s a strategic move, recognizing that maintaining stability in relationships benefits Italy regardless of the election outcome.
Editor: The Five Star Movement seems to echo this sentiment as well. Giuseppe Conte’s comments suggest a cautious approach. Is this indicative of their broader political strategy?
Dr. Rossi: Yes, exactly! Conte’s stance highlights a focus on national interests over foreign allegiances. This reflects a trend among many parties in Italy, especially those in opposition, who wish to appear neutral while still safeguarding Italy’s diplomatic relations.
Editor: Shifting gears to the center-left, we see support for Kamala Harris from the Democratic Party in Italy under Elie Schlein. What challenges does this pose for their political landscape?
Dr. Rossi: Schlein’s visible support for Harris aims to connect with progressive movements in Italy. However, it can create a divide within the center-left voters. Some may embrace this alignment with American Democrats, while others might fear that it alienates moderates. It underscores the challenges of adapting domestic policies to international political currents.
Editor: Outside the political mainstream, Gianni Riota mentions that social media, particularly TikTok, will play a significant role. How do you see social media influencing voter behavior in both countries?
Dr. Rossi: Social media is a game-changer, especially among the youth. Platforms like TikTok mobilize younger demographics, creating a space for political discourse. What we’re seeing is a grassroots, viral support that traditional media can’t replicate. This engagement can significantly impact voter turnout and preferences, particularly for candidates who harness it effectively, like Kamala Harris.
Editor: So, it sounds like the interplay between Italian political attitudes and the US election is complex and layered. What do you think is the biggest takeaway for our readers?
Dr. Rossi: The biggest takeaway is that the upcoming US election is not just an American affair; it’s a global one. Italy’s political sentiments and strategies reveal the interconnectedness of global politics today. How candidates resonate with foreign allies could shape not only their electoral success but also future international relations.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for sharing your insights on this compelling topic. It will be interesting to see how these dynamics unfold as the election draws near!
Dr. Rossi: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well.