Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has delivered a sharp critique of what she described as a “liberal network” during her address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington DC on Saturday. Speaking via video link, she accused left-wing politicians of hypocrisy and reacting with “hysteria” to the rise of conservative leaders globally.
PM Meloni praised US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance while condemning “elites” and left-leaning politicians. She argued that liberals have grown increasingly frustrated with the success of right-wing leaders, particularly following President Trump’s return to the White House.
“When Bill Clinton and Tony Blair created the global leftist liberal network in the 90s, they were called statesmen,” she said.
“Today, when Trump, Meloni, (Javier) Milei, or maybe (Narendra) Modi talk, they are called a threat to democracy. This is the Left’s double standard, but we are used to it. And the good news is people no longer believe in their lies. Despite all the mud they throw at us, citizens keep voting for us.”
She described President Trump as a steadfast leader who would remain aligned with global conservatives despite external pressures.
“The Left is nervous, and with Trump’s victory, their irritation has turned into hysteria. Not only because conservatives are winning, but because conservatives are now collaborating globally,” she claimed.
As leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, PM Meloni was the only European Union head of government to attend President Trump’s inauguration in January.
Her decision to address CPAC was met with strong opposition from political adversaries in Rome, particularly after Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, appeared to use a Nazi salute during the conference.
Opposition MPs called on PM Meloni to withdraw from the event, following the example of Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally (RN) party, who pulled out of CPAC over what he described as Bannon’s “gesture alluding to Nazi ideology.”
Elly Schlein, leader of Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party, urged PM Meloni to distance herself from the event. “She should have the decency to disassociate herself from this neo-fascist gathering,” Schlein said.
“She has not said a word for days about Trump’s insults and frontal attacks on Ukraine and the European Union. She is unable to defend Italian and European interests because she does not want to displease the new American administration.”
Addressing concerns over strained relations between the United States and its European allies, PM Meloni insisted the transatlantic partnership remains strong. “The United States and Europe will remain close under Trump,” she said.
Her remarks come amid ongoing concerns in Europe over President Trump’s diplomatic approach to Russia and his warnings of a potential shift in US policy towards Europe, particularly in relation to NATO.
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