Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – "We've never been Trump supporters. Not even Meloni is a Maga, for goodness sake. We're conservatives. Me? I'm a Berlusconi supporter." This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, commenting on the US midterm elections in an interview with Il Messaggero.it.
Regarding the possible impact of the Republican defeat on the Italian political balance and the weakening of Donald Trump's leadership, Tajani ruled out any consequences for relations between Rome and Washington: "There wasn't a vote in Italy.
We always respect the choices and even the changes of the United States, remaining their loyal and strategic allies."
On the sidelines of a meeting between Forza Italia and Confsal on the budget, the Forza Italia leader reiterated that "the United States is the world's largest democracy, and it's not up to us to comment or intervene." He continued: "Internal American issues remain internal US issues."
Tajani then emphasized that the outcome of the American elections does not change the Italian government's position: "I am deputy prime minister of a center-right government, as well as leader of the second-largest party, and, I repeat, it does not change Italy's position.
I worked with the same enthusiasm and commitment with both Rubio and Biden. We have excellent relationships with everyone."
The minister then insisted on the meaning of the alliance between the two countries: “We are allies and being allies means being friends who look their interlocutors in the eye with their backs straight and their heads held high”.
A concept he reiterated when directly commenting on the results of the midterm elections: “We are allies of the United States, we respect the will of the American people.
We respect the results always and in any case, whether the Republicans win or the Democrats win. Our relationship with the United States remains unchanged."
"Precisely because it is a great democracy, we are loyal allies. And we are so with our heads held high. A great democracy votes as it sees fit, and it's not up to us to comment or intervene," Tajani added.
Finally, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that friendship with Washington does not imply unconditional adherence to its choices: "We always maintain a relationship of alliance, holding our heads high, and when we agree for the sake of Italy's national interest, we agree, just as when we disagree, for the sake of Italy's national interest, we disagree."
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