Italy's new prime minister meets with French president
October 24, 2022, 8:09 am

Italy's new prime minister meets with French president

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party - Anadolu Agency

Italy’s new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Sunday (Oct 23) with French President Emmanuel Macron for the first time.

The informal meeting between Meloni, the country’s first female premier, and Macron was part of his visit to Rome.

The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, was "sincere and productive," the Italian Prime Ministry said in a statement.

The two leaders discussed the need for a rapid and shared response to high energy costs, support for Ukraine, the difficult economic situation and irregular migration.

They agreed on the willingness to continue to cooperate on common challenges in Europe and in terms of mutual national interests.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised Sunday (Oct 32) to work with Giorgia Meloni with "dialogue and ambition."

Shortly before he tweeted the comment, Macron thanked outgoing premier Mario Draghi in a post featuring a photo of the former European Central Bank chief and the words: "Grazie (thank you) Mario."

On Sunday, Italy’s new government was officially sworn in. Along with Meloni, 24 Cabinet ministers, including six women, took their oaths of office before President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.

Meloni, 45, vowed during the ceremony to serve her country with pride.

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni becomes Italy's first woman PM

After officially succeeding former Prime Minister Mario Draghi, she is expected to lead the first meeting of her new Cabinet on Sunday afternoon.

Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party won a plurality of the vote in the Sept. 25 general elections, and she formed a right-wing coalition government on Friday.

The new government is the most far-right in Italy since World War II, and takes power at a time of soaring inflation and an energy crisis linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Italy's Giorgia Meloni tells Ukraine it can count on her

Meloni was forced this week to repeat her unwavering support for Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia after Berlusconi was recorded defending President Vladimir Putin.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday she had a "good first call" with Meloni, saying she looked forward to "constructive cooperation".

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany said he wanted to keep "working closely together with Italy in EU, NATO and G7" – a sentiment Meloni reflected in responses to congratulatory messages on Twitter.

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