Time profiles Giorgia Meloni as key leader shaping Europe
A new nationalism – populist, nativist, pro-Western, yet loyal to Europe and the Atlantic Alliance – defines the political dimension of Giorgia Meloni, according to Time, which has dedicated the cover of its new global edition to her. This honor was previously given (though in the European edition) to other Italian prime ministers: Silvio Berlusconi in 2011 (“The man behind the world’s most dangerous economy”), Mario Monti in 2012 (“Can this man save Europe?”), and Matteo Salvini in 2018 with the headline “The new face of Europe.”
“Where Giorgia Meloni is taking Europe” is the title of the feature by Massimo Calabresi, head of Time’s Washington bureau, who writes that in nearly three years of governing, the prime minister “has emerged as one of the most interesting figures” on the continent, CE Report quotes ANSA.
“And the way she leads could change the world,” says the post with which Time unveiled the cover, which in the past has featured other Italians such as Gianni Agnelli, Sergio Marchionne, Mario Balotelli, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Luciano Pavarotti, and Sophia Loren.
Regarding her idea of nationalism, the prime minister – in a July 4 conversation at Palazzo Chigi – explains that “first of all, we must defend who we are, our culture, our identity, our civilization.” Her nationalism, she adds, “is mainly a way to protect ourselves from a globalization that hasn’t worked.” She declares her intention to “rebuild our identity, rebuild our pride, the pride of being who we are… At any cost.” According to the article, Meloni’s skill was evident during her recent meeting at the White House with Donald Trump, which she prepared for with a stack of notes covering every possible topic of discussion.
She passed the public test with composure, Calabresi notes. “I’m a Capricorn,” the prime minister explains. “Let’s just say I’m obsessive about certain things.” The article then reveals that once the press left the Oval Office and the discussion with Trump turned to Ukraine, Meloni passionately defended Zelensky and the need to support Ukraine to the very end. Trump listened and responded, but without confrontation, as Meloni recalls: “He’s a fighter, and I’m a fighter.” The article also looks back at her youth, including the fire that destroyed the home where she lived with her mother and sister Arianna before moving to Garbatella.
“Maybe that’s why,” the prime minister smiles, “I joined the MSI – for the flame.” Thirty years later, she became the first woman to lead the Italian government. She recounts having “to face ridiculous stereotypes,” as well as the initial skepticism of then U.S. President Joe Biden. “I just think he didn’t know what he was talking about,” she says, also dismissing criticism from domestic opponents. “They’ve accused me of everything possible, from the war in Ukraine to the deaths of people in the Mediterranean. It’s just because they have no arguments. I’m not racist. I’m not homophobic. I’m not all the things they say about me.” At the end of the interview, Meloni turns to Calabresi: “You’re an honest person. Is there anything about fascism that my experience reminds you of, or anything connected to what I’m doing in government?”
