They won’t get rid of me, Meloni promises at right-wing political festival

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promises to stay until the end of the legislature as long as she has the consent of the Italians, she said at Fratelli d’Italia’s annual event where many leaders, including Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Vox leader Santiago Abascal, were in attendance.

The annual meeting of Fratelli d’Italia, Atreju, lasted four days, was attended by many guests, and ended on Sunday in Rome.

“As long as I know that I have the consent of the Italian people behind me, they will not get rid of me. Don’t leave me alone, and I will carry on the Italian pride and flag”, Meloni said from the stage.

“The centre-right government, with Fratelli d’Italia leading, is a government with its back straight, that goes head-on, with shoes full of mud and clean hands (…) We will take Italy to the top of the podium”, she added.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who were also on stage alongside Meloni, renewed their commitment to government solidarity and that Italian centre-right that the founder of Forza Italia and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi created.

“If for 30 years now, with different formulas, the Centre-Right has existed, it is not an accident of history. It has existed for 30 years because we share a system of values and a common vision to be realised. My thanks to those who are no longer here, thanks to Silvio Berlusconi”, said Meloni.

There was great controversy over the absence at the event of Democratic Party (S&D) secretary Elly Schlein, who declined the invitation and did not spare the government and the event, which she called ‘pathetic’.

Atreju is a party convention, but FDI always invites all opposition leaders and politicians who usually accept and debate.

The presence of Abascal, who spoke before Meloni on stage, is currently trending on social media for his controversial remarks against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

“I don’t share the stage with nostalgics of Francoism and fascism (…) You just give a third-rate show with events that would like to hang people upside down”, Schlein said.

“While partying at Atreju, the government is leaving 900,000 families in poverty without any kind of help, it is only cashing in on the poor to finance its tax amnesties. Dear Giorgia, don’t continue to insult the Italians”, she added.

The premier quickly defended Abascal, who was presented before the Atreju audience as a ‘friend’ and ally.

“Dear Elly, you may decide not to participate, but there is no need to insult all those who have decided to participate just because they have shown courage that you evidently lack”, Meloni replied.

(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)