Far-right Meloni creates concerns about division in

 

Wolfgang Hansson

 

Europe Published: Today 14.47 

 

This is a commenting text. Analysis and positions are the writer's. 

 

COLUMNISTS 

 

MILAN. There are at least two similarities between Ulf Kristersson and Italy's incoming Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

 

Both have erratic coalition partners to deal with and both take office in perhaps the most difficult crisis Europe has experienced since World War II. 

 

Both are stomping impatiently behind the scenes to get things started at the same time as the respective countries cry out for leadership. Not least this applies to Italy, where the energy crisis is as serious as in Germany. 

 

A year ago, Italy imported 40 percent of its gas from Russia. Now Putin has turned the gas tap so hard that only a few percent reach Italy. 

All the Italians I talk to have only one thing in mind. Will they manage to pay the next electricity bill? How will they survive the winter? 

 

Just like Kristersson, Meloni has promised great support to both citizens and businesses. But none of this has yet come to fruition. And many fear that she will not be able to keep her promises. 

 

Although Meloni is an experienced politician despite being only 45 years old, she does not have much experience in being in a position of responsibility. Complaining about those in power and presenting a series of promises in an election campaign is one thing. Designing the policy yourself in a successful way is something else entirely. 

 

Not least because Meloni takes office in an extremely difficult situation.

 

 

Many are worried that Meloni will act as a "wrecking ball" within the EU. Photo: Gregorio Borgia / AP 

 

The EU cannot save Italy's economy 

 

Italy's economy is the EU's fourth largest, but at the same time, next to Greece, it is the most indebted. If Italy's economy collapses, there is no chance for the EU to save it as it did with Greece during the financial crisis. Then there is a great risk that the euro will be dragged into the case. 

 

There was great trust in the outgoing Prime Minister Mario Draghi both in Europe's capitals and among many Italians. Draghi has heavy credentials, including former head of the European Central Bank and is considered the man who saved the euro from collapse during the financial crisis. Meloni is a far-right politician whom Europe fears rather than respects. 

 

Many are worried that she will act as a "wrecking ball" within the EU. Her friends in European politics are leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orbán and France's National Assembly's Marine Le Pen. 

 

Meloni has a long history as a fierce critic of the EU. 

 

She will also govern together with two other far-right politicians, Lega's Matteo Salvini and Forza Italia's Silvio Berlusconi. Both of these gentlemen have made it clear during the election campaign that they would prefer to see the EU's sanctions against Russia end. Salvini believes they are hitting Italy harder than Russia. 

 

Both Salvini and Berlusconi are friends with Vladimir Putin. 

 

There will be no honeymoon 

 

Against that, it is stated that Meloni promised in the election campaign that Italy will continue to support Ukraine with her as leader. But the question is what happens when energy prices seriously set their claws in Italy. The risk is that there will be widespread popular protests and that Meloni may then be forced to rethink in order to get the cheap Russian gas flowing again. 

 

The formation of the Italian government is a major concern for Europe, which is already under great pressure due to Putin's way of using the energy weapon. European unity is at stake. In order to introduce new sanctions and in the long run keep those that are already in place, all 27 member states must agree. If one vetoes it, it's done. 

 

No one will probably be surprised if Meloni ultimately contributes to division rather than unity within the EU. But the stable tip is that she waits with it until the EU approves the payment of the corona support of SEK 7,000 billion that Italy is waiting for. 

 

Perhaps Meloni can also be persuaded by introducing similar support for the energy crisis, where the EU jointly borrows large sums which are then distributed so that the worst affected countries receive the most. An idea that Sweden has so far said no to, but which is gaining more support every day that energy prices rise. 

 

One thing is clear. Neither Meloni nor Kristersson can expect a honeymoon. 

Aftonbladet's Jerker Ivarsson and Wolfgang Hansson in Italy.