Italian Prime Minister Meloni distances herself from US President Trump

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s alliance with US President Donald Trump has taken a turn for the worse as key elections approach in Italy. In January 2025, Meloni was the sole European leader invited to Trump’s inauguration ceremony. The two leaders had previously met on several occasions, including a private meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Prior to Trump’s second term as US president, Meloni was seen as a potential partner for Trump due to her neoliberalist and far-right views. Trump referred to her as “a real live wire” during their visit to the White House in April last year. Meloni had presented herself as the European leader who could de-escalate Trump’s trade war.

However, following Trump’s recent actions on Iran, including a war with Israel, Meloni has distanced herself from the US president. In a statement, she said that when they disagree, they must say it and that this time they do not agree. This marked a significant shift in her stance, as previously she had expressed admiration for Trump.

Analysts suggest that Meloni’s alliance with Trump may have become a liability rather than an asset due to the negative reaction from Italians to the war in Iran. Polls show that a majority of Italians are against the war, particularly due to its impact on energy prices. The proportion of those who hold a positive view of Trump has decreased significantly.

Meloni faces key elections in Italy next year and her stance on Trump’s policies may be a major factor in the outcome. A recent referendum on judicial reform proposed by Meloni was rejected by voters, with many young people turning out to vote against it. The result is seen as partly due to disapproval of Meloni’s support for Trump’s policies, which some see as relying too heavily on force rather than the rule of law.

The war in Iran also poses significant economic concerns for Italy, particularly given its reliance on natural gas for 40% of its energy needs. With energy prices soaring due to the conflict, Italy is vulnerable to market fluctuations across Europe.

Source: Al Jazeera