The term “fifth column”, coined during the Spanish Civil War, describes any group of people who undermine a larger group from within – usually in favour of an enemy group or a nation.
The question now is whether, in the wake of Italy’s election on Sunday that appears set to bring in the most right-wing Italian government since Mussolini, Rome could lead a European fifth column in undermining EU unity on Ukraine.
At a time when Vladimir Putin is suffering defeats on the Ukrainian battlefields, he is scoring on EU territory, where good friends are coming to power. Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy, who is likely to become the first female prime minister of Italy, used to be a Putin admirer.
Her coalition will be joined by another far-right force, the League party led by Matteo Salvini, known for, among other things, posing with a Putin T-shirt.
The third party will be Forza Italia, led by Silvio Berlusconi, who recently sowed some confusion by saying that Putin’s aggression was just an attempt to put “some decent people” in charge in Kyiv.
Meloni has said that her political role model is Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, another friend of Putin in Europe.
While Hungary had frowned upon the successive EU sanctions packages against Russia, Budapest has so far not dared to break the EU’s ranks. But things may change now, with a like-minded founding nation of the EU suddenly being on the same page.
Orbán has actually said that he wants the EU sanctions against Russia scrapped in comments made at a closed meeting of Fidesz party members in the Hungarian village of Kotcse on 10 September.
A pro-government paper in Hungary reported that, at the event, Orbán said he wanted the sanctions lifted by the end of the year at the latest.
Citing unnamed sources present at the meeting, RFE/RL reported that Orbán had expressed hope that a new government in Italy could aid the effort.
It would be a major disgrace if – while Ukrainians are on a victorious trajectory against the aggressor – the EU were to collapse in its effort to back Kyiv by failing to enforce sanctions.
The EU is currently deciding on a seventh sanctions package, which includes targeting luxury goods, Russia’s IT and tech sectors, and excluding more banks from the international SWIFT messaging system. Approval is expected before EU foreign ministers meet in mid-October.
The existing EU sanctions include travel restrictions on individuals, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to listed individuals and entities. Sanctions will continue to apply to 1,206 individuals and 108 companies.
This month, the EU Council decided to extend the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months.
Meanwhile, the formation of Italy’s new government following the election is likely to take weeks – or even months.
As a result, the seventh sanctions package will likely be passed under the current cabinet in its caretaker capacity.
If Meloni and Orbán indeed become a destructive force in the EU, the date to watch is 15 March 2023, when sanctions will be up for renewal.
Will such a nightmare scenario materialise?
In Italy, we have seen radical political forces become more mainstream once in power on many occasions. Forza Italia is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest and oldest political family in the EU, with a recognised contribution to having built the EU as we know it.
Antonio Tajani, number two in Forza Italia, has served as European Commissioner and European Parliament president. Despite some controversies, he has a reputation as a pro-EU politician.
Either the EPP will use its influence to bring a mainstream spirit to the new Italian coalition, or Putin’s fifth column will inflict the EU its most humiliating defeat.
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The Roundup
Germany lags behind EU counterparts in share of farms managed by or passed onto women, according to a new study, highlighting far-reaching financial security consequences.
India is pushing tech giants to make smartphones compatible with its home-grown navigation system within months, worrying industry leaders about elevated costs and disruptions.
A group of German citizens are suing their government over a lack of progress in meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on air quality levels presented in 2021.
Cross-border sharing of electricity and solidarity will unlock a resilient and sustainable future for Europe, a group of cross-party MEPs write in an exclusive opinion piece.
Last but not least, check out this week’s Agrifood Podcast.
Look out for…
- Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee on Security and Defence discuss Russia’s recent threats of escalation in its war in Ukraine.
- Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and EU capitals mayors discuss renewables, energy savings and green mobility.
- European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.
- Cohesion Commissioner Elisa Ferreira hosts Policy Dialogue about addressing brain drain in EU.
Views are the author’s.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic/Nathalie Weatherald]
Source: euractiv.com
