Giorgia Meloni, leader of the post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia, winner of the legislative elections, announced her government at the end of the day on Friday October 21 after being appointed President of the Italian Council by President Sergio Mattarella. At 45, she is the first woman called to this function in the country’s history.
Antonio Tajani in European Affairs
A Eurosceptic herself, Giorgia Meloni has chosen to lead Italian diplomacy a convinced European, the former President of the Strasbourg Parliament Antonio Tajani, who will be flanked in European affairs by a loyal Prime Minister, MEP Raffaele Fitto .
Antonio Tajani shares the vice-presidency alongside Matteo Salvini, who is also appointed to infrastructure and transport. Antonio Tajani ticks all the boxes to reassure Brussels and the European capitals: former European commissioner and current vice-president of the European People’s Party (EPP, right), this 69-year-old Roman with great interpersonal skills has a network that will prove very useful for Giorgia Meloni. He knows everyone in the European Parliament, but also in the European Commission, of which he was a member twice from 2008 to 2014, and in the Council of Heads of State and Government thanks to his mandate as Vice -President of the EPP since 2002.
To the economy, a faithful Mario Draghi
To the economy, she named Giancarlo Giorgetti, 55. He is considered a powerful, but discreet figure in Matteo Salvini’s (extreme right) League, of which he is considered one of the most moderate and pro-European representatives. As Minister of Economic Development appreciated by industrialists, he was a loyal supporter of former Prime Minister Mario Draghi until the end, pushed out by three parties in his coalition, including the League.
Although he spent most of his political career in the League, this man of conviction did not hesitate to take the opposite view of the sovereignist Salvini and to mute the euroscepticism of this populist party to join Mario Draghi’s government of national unity. It should reassure European capitals like Brussels.
A technocrat inside
Inside, ministry coveted by Matteo Salvini, Giorgia Meloni who did not want the leader of the League in this position, finally appointed the technocrat Matteo Piantedosi, 59, who has spent his entire career in the prefectural and high office public. It is an exposed position as security and immigration issues have become strategic for Italy, a country on the front line for the reception of migrants.
In addition, MP Carlo Nordio was appointed justice minister, while Guido Crosetto, very close to Giorgia Meloni, was appointed defense minister. Moreover, Giorgia Meloni has only appointed six women and none hold key ministries. They are at work, at university and research, the disabled, the birth rate, equal opportunities and tourism.