Paolo Inselvini MEP is a member of the National Assembly of Giorgia Melon’s governing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy, FdI), and of the executive of its youth wing, the Gioventù Nacionale. Elected a Member of the European Parliament in June 2024, he has been a prominent pro-life activist in the Brescia region.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has gone from being branded a “danger to democracy” to being the most recognised politician in Europe—even the “bridge” from Europe to the United States, thanks to her relationship with Donald Trump. How can we explain this change of attitude to her on the part of the mainstream media?
I am convinced that, in past years, Giorgia Meloni was defined as a danger, labelled and demonised by the left-wing powers. This happened because, as often happens, a certain establishment, in order to maintain its power, tries to exclude from public debate anyone who is capable and brings ideas different from the ‘politically correct.’ They do this by trying to weaken these interlocutors and to influence public opinion. However, Fratelli d’Italia and Giorgia Meloni have refuted all accusations with facts and good politics.
Today, even critics are forced to acknowledge that Giorgia Meloni is a credible interlocutor at the international level. She represents a unique novelty in the political landscape of the centre-right and, more generally, in the European political context. It is no coincidence that she is considered the main interlocutor for the United States and for Donald Trump: we represent a coherent centre-right and right-wing vision, with which it is possible to engage in constructive dialogue.
In Italy, popular support for Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (FdI) continues to grow, even in areas historically dominated by the Left.
This is true. This phenomenon can also be observed among the middle class, the working class, and the white-collar workers, categories that in the past were traditionally a bastion of the Left. Our success is due to the fact that we do not make unrealistic promises, but offer concrete, small but constant answers, demonstrating the seriousness of the government. We are making it understood that we are not interested in the labels ‘Right’ or ‘Left.’ What guides us is the good of the homeland, always putting the national interest first.
A proof of the strength of FdI has been its most recent edition of its Atreju political convention in mid-December, a huge success with a record attendance of more than 50,000 people and a strong international representation, including President Javier Milei of Argentina, among others. What is your assessment of Atreju 2024?
My assessment is ‘excellent.’ Every year Atreju is better organised, bigger and with increasing participation. This demonstrates Fratelli d’Italia’s ability to penetrate not only the political debate, but also the meta-political and cultural debate, bringing more people closer to our vision.
The presence of prominent figures, such as the Lebanese Prime Minister and Javier Milei, is no coincidence. Milei, for example—despite a political background distant from ours and different positions on some issues—shares with us the struggle for non-negotiable principles. Together we defend the foundations of Western, European and Christian culture. We fully agree with his commitment to the defence of life and the fight against gender ideology and ‘woke,’ and we reaffirm the importance of these battles that Fratelli d’Italia consistently pursues.
What do you think of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s recent acquittal, following ‘kidnapping’ charges from when he prevented an NGO ship from disembarking illegal migrants in Lampedusa in 2019?
We are pleased with the acquittal of Minister Salvini, especially because the accusation represented an ideological and instrumental use of justice, and the verdict, on the other hand, puts things back in their place. It protects the fundamental prerogatives for the exercise of his political function. Salvini may or may not be liked from a political point of view, and the Left, in any case, must limit itself to criticism and institutional debate.
It should be remembered that when the current centre-right coalition government was formed in 2022, many did not give it even a year to live. Today it appears united. It is well known that the FdI is on good terms with Salvini and his Lega party, but what about with the other partner, Forza Italia?
We have an excellent relationship with our allies. We have always reiterated that the government is united and that the coalition works in harmony. Moreover, let us not forget the presence of another ally, Noi Moderati de Lupi. We are united because, despite the differences, we have managed to find a synthesis on common points. The contribution of the Lega and Matteo Salvini is valuable, as is that of Forza Italia and Antonio Tajani. Each political force has its peculiarities, but all recognise in Giorgia Meloni the leader capable of unifying and synthesising the different visions, aiming at a common goal: the good of Italy.
Turning to the European Parliament, is it possible to work with the European People’s Party (EPP)?
I think yes, it is possible. In the past, the EPP made mistakes, moving too close to the ideological politics of the Left and the Greens. Today, however, thanks mainly to the contribution of the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) and our party, Fratelli d’Italia, we are helping the EPP out of the harmful embrace of the socialists, the Greens and the Left, to return to its natural home: the centre-right.
We hope that the EPP can join us in the fight to defend non-negotiable and Christian principles and to revise Green Deal policies, which have so far proved to be far removed from the real needs of territories, nations, and Europe. Together, we believe we can put farmers, their rights and the protection of their incomes back at the heart of the European Union.
The new European Commission includes a Vice-President from your party, Raffaele Fitto, which is a big change for FdI and ECR. Given the work of the previous Commission, can President Ursula von der Leyen be trusted, and what changes do you expect in this new phase of the EU presidency?
The appointment of Raffaele Fitto as Executive Vice-President of the European Commission represents a great achievement and an important result, not only for Fratelli d’Italia, but for Italy as a whole. We have entrusted a crucial role in Europe to a capable, credible and pragmatic person, who will be able to make both Italy and the entire European Union proud. Thanks to him, we will undoubtedly be able to carry more weight at European level.
As for Ursula von der Leyen, our judgment has been very critical, so much so that we voted against her re-election in July. It is clear that the President of the European Commission must ensure respect for the Treaties and work to achieve a synthesis between the governments and the various political forces. We therefore hope that the new balances within the Parliament and the Council can push it to orient its decisions more towards the centre-right, overcoming the predominant influence of the Greens and the Left that has characterised recent years.
We have started with the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries of Latin America, which your fellow MEP Carlo Fidanza has described as “unbalanced and detrimental to European agriculture.” Is it possible to reverse these policies, which shoot Europe’s productive sectors in the foot?
I believe that, in agreements such as Mercosur, it is essential to guarantee the principle of reciprocity. We cannot afford to import into Europe products made with substances that are banned here or that do not respect our standards in terms of labour and social conditions. It is essential to put our farmers in a position to compete on equal terms, recognising and valuing the efforts they are making, including in the area of environmental sustainability.
We therefore call for the principle of reciprocity to be fully respected in agreements of this kind. Otherwise, we run the risk of such agreements becoming self-defeating and useless for Europe, betraying the very objectives for which they were conceived. Farmers must rest assured that we will always be at their side to fight for this principle to be protected and guaranteed.
ECR has reached 80 MEPs with the addition of two Spaniards from the Se Acabó La Fiesta (‘The Party is Over,’ SALF) party. How do you assess their incorporation?
It is good news that the European Conservative family is expanding with capable people who will undoubtedly help us to put the real interests of Europeans back at the centre of the European agenda. I am sure we will be able to work in the best way together.
