Recently, a prime time session was held at the Senate with the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Prime Minister addressed questions regarding relations with the United States, tariffs, arms, and reforms. “Military spending at 2% of GDP by 2025, freedom comes with a price. Yes to preferences in the electoral law”. Calenda accuses Meloni of playing a “shell game” on Defense. A heated argument between Renzi and Meloni erupted in the Chamber. These were the main topics discussed.
Agenzia ANSA “Shell game player”, Renzi-Meloni clash in Senate – News – Ansa.it
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REFORMS – “The prime ministership is progressing – Meloni stated in the Senate – I still consider it the mother of all reforms, and, not depending on me, but on Parliament, the majority is determined to move swiftly on this reform just as it is determined to proceed swiftly on the reform of justice.” “I confirm my support for the introduction of preferences in the electoral law,” Meloni added.
DEFENSE – “Italy will finally reach the target” of military spending at 2% of GDP “by 2025, because there is a government that knows keeping its commitments is essential to earn respect,” Meloni responded to Azione leader Carlo Calenda. “Italy and Europe – Meloni stated – must strengthen their defense capabilities to meet the responsibilities they are called upon, even within NATO, freedom comes with a price.” The Prime Minister also emphasized the “need to continually build a European pillar of NATO capable of encouraging a solid European base.”
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The NATO Atlantic Council met today to officially examine the proposal from Secretary General Mark Rutte on new spending targets to be agreed at the Hague summit in June. (ANSA)
MIDDLE EAST – “In the Middle East, we continue to work towards a permanent end to hostilities and we are attentive and supportive of the work that Arab countries are carrying out. Arab countries are key to resolving the conflict. There is a credible reconstruction plan in Gaza that they have undertaken, and also to outline a comprehensive framework for peace and security, a framework that in our view must also include the perspective of the two states,” Meloni explained, responding to Senator Michaela Biancofiore, president of the Civici d’Italia, Nm, Udc, Maie group.
PNRR – Regarding Transition 5.0, “we have no problem evaluating in the coming weeks the actual growth curve and potentially redesigning its use in harmony with the nature of resources. This is an option that the government has already proposed at the table with the productive sectors as part of the review of the PNRR that we intend to start with the European Commission,” Meloni responded to the M5S senator, Stefano Patuanelli.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – On the bill introducing the crime of femicide, “Parliament will be able to make the changes it deems appropriate to make it more effective, I believe that is the place to present your proposal and broaden the spectrum of the crime,” the Prime Minister said in response to a question from Senator Svp Julia Unterberger, who asked about introducing “the crime of incitement to hatred and violence against women.” “I personally believe that opinion crimes have a somewhat blurry line, but you will find the majority willing to discuss.”
Calenda: “A shell game is being played on defense spending”
“On a topic where there can be no confusion, today we believe there is great confusion, that of national defense and security. Minister Crosetto’s statements are clear and straightforward: today the Italian army, the weapons system, the defense system, which is much broader, is not able to guarantee the country’s security in such a difficult and complicated geostrategic context. On the other hand, Minister Crosetto has repeatedly stated that without a derogation from the stability pact, the possibility of having a defense commensurate with the times and also the country is not possible. But the twist, Madam President, is that Minister Crosetto, during the last hearing, said that the 2% (today we are at 1.5) will be reached through budget shifting mechanisms and forgive me for saying this, but this is a shell game that cannot be accepted,” said Senator and leader of Azione, Carlo Calenda, addressing the Prime Minister during the question time.
He added: “A great country cannot think of taking a stake, putting the carabinieri’s pensions in it, and claiming to have reached 2%.”
He then reiterated the need for “a clear word and if the word is clear – he concluded – we will be ready to support you, because it is a higher national interest.”
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