«Center-right, all united in Europe. Le Pen like the League, the Germans of AfD have renewed themselves»- Corriere.it

Deputy Prime Minister Salvini, tomorrow you will meet your historical ally Marine Le Pen. Is the governing physiognomy of the League compatible with this alliance?

«Absolutely yes, Marine Le Pen is appreciated by a large number of French people and has been the main center-right force in France for years. It is also currently the first party ever, it has renewed and strengthened its leadership, it is fighting in defense of French workers, farmers, fishermen and pensioners. In fact, it behaves like the League in Italy. I add that you, unlike others, have never insulted Italy».

The Germans of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) are also part of the Northern League Eurogroup, Identity and Democracy. Are they “compatible” too? Don’t you risk cutting yourself off from the tables that count?

«They have renewed top management and political personnel, but with the Germans there is a political relationship that is not comparable to the one we have had, for several legislatures, with Le Pen, the Austrians, the Dutch or others. I would like to point out, however, that AfD records a growth in the polls and certainly not because the Germans have suddenly become dangerous extremists: the traditional parties of the center have chosen – for too many years now – to govern Brussels with the left, imposing dangerous choices also for companies and work of Germany. I remember the understanding I made with my German counterpart, Volker Wissing: a common front to change the choice imposed by the Commission against the automotive industry, opening up at least to e-fuels. The German CDU itself will have to choose in Europe between governing with the socialists or working for a large centre-right alliance».

Your relations with Timmermans, on the other hand, are not idyllic.

«Timmermans does not defend the interests of Italian or European workers and entrepreneurs: with his disastrous choices he helps China, some bankers and some very rich and powerful foreign multinationals. He has a worrying ideological approach. The current Commission was born thanks to a handful of votes, 9, including those from Grillini: we can and must change».

We look forward to seeing how you think you are most relevant.

«The unnatural pacts of power with the socialists and the left who have cut off a considerable slice of the centre-right must be broken. And these months of government have confirmed the solid tradition of the League of good governance. I recall that my French colleague Clément Beaune received the desired reassurances on the Turin-Lyon construction site. And with Adina Valean, transport commissioner, relations are excellent. The League is pragmatic: we are sure that Brussels needs a clearly centre-right majority. I cannot believe that, among our allies and voters, there is someone who prefers the left or Macron to the united centre-right. Excluding someone a priori from the centre-right alliance is short-sighted. The wind is clear and the European elections will be decisive. The doors should not be reopened to the socialists and to an Ursula majority, with Pd and 5 Stars ».

Minister Tajani spoke of an alliance “between popular, conservatives and liberals”. To say liberals also means Macron. Do you see yourself in such an alliance?

«Minister Tajani had canceled a trip to Paris, because he was rightly indignant at the criticisms – serious and gratuitous – that the Macron executive had addressed to Italy and our government. It seems surprising to me to hope for an alliance with those who have attacked us harshly and for no reason. I am committed to uniting all of the centre-right, the unity of our political families, which have solid roots in common values, must be built at any cost: it is one of Silvio Berlusconi’s legacies. Just Silvio has always turned to the large liberal family, very different from the liberal by Macron. An alliance between conservatives, liberals, Christians and federalists is in the logic of things. Between the League and the French leader, who would centre-right Italian voters choose? I repeat: also in Italy’s interest, I choose the centre-right family to which Le Pen belongs».

If you were to imagine the EU of the future, how would you see the government alliance?

«All of the centre-right united, without the socialists. The challenge is this: to avoid at all costs that the left can remain in the European government after all the damage and scandals. I am sure that all the majority parties, starting with the Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia, share the goal. I am ready to propose a written pact before the vote: no compromises with the left. The time for emergencies is over and we will be clear with the voters, avoiding fibrillations and suspicions in our field. We will do everything to beat the left in the polls and prevent the losers from returning through the window thanks to palace games and betrayals such as with Count II. I’ll say more: we have excellent relations with some commissioners while the Italian Gentiloni is too often critical and uncooperative».

Tomorrow the Chamber will vote for the 4-month suspension requested by the center-right on the Mes. Why exactly 4 months?

«The League has always thought that the Mes is a useless tool for Italy, which has a growing economic system and a healthy banking system. If anything, we will talk about it again in the autumn in Parliament, deciding in harmony with the allies, starting with Giorgia, and in the exclusive interest of the country”.

Among the open questions in Europe is the relocation of immigrants. Often it is your allies who hold the brakes.

«Socialist Spain has fired on immigrants, Macron’s France closes its borders and has Paris on fire, Germany has never been soft since the days of Merkel. Then, there are countries traditionally more sensitive to immigration such as Poland, governed by the conservatives, or Orbán’s Hungary, who was in the EPP in Brussels. But Warsaw and Budapest have the advantage of a clear position without hypocrisy. The theme is: immigration must be stopped upstream».

Does the disappearance of Silvio Berlusconi open up political problems for the majority?

«No, we have a duty to honor Silvio’s commitment and extraordinary legacy. To me he was a friend, not just an ally. He created the centre-right and has always fought for unity. We are in total harmony with Giorgia and I am sure we will demonstrate it also in Europe. The government is doing well, the polls are very positive and the League is growing significantly also according to the poll published by Courier. We can’t ruin this teamwork.”

The tax delegation will pave the way for the next budget law. What do you expect?

«The tax delegation has finally redesigned the relationship between the taxpaying citizen and the State, from the point of view of a taxman who is a friend and ally of those who work. I like to remember the historic battle of the League to obtain the possibility of paying taxes in installments: from tomorrow it will be a reality”.

On the war, the feeling is that Lega and FdI are not exactly in tune. If the shipment of more weapons to Ukraine were to be approved, would you agree?

«We have always found an agreement, in Rome as in Brussels, and there are and there will be no ambiguities. The opposition cannot say the same thing. Personally, I look with great trust and hope to what Cardinal Zuppi achieved in Moscow because I believe the Holy Father is fundamental for the ceasefire. We have no embarrassment on the international scene: as a League we are organizing missions to the USA, France and Spain. And at MIT we are already committed to a great and memorable Transport G7 next spring».

The government seems to be struggling on security. What is the League’s recipe?

«Soon I will see Minister Piantedosi, together we want to think about an extraordinary plan for security in the big cities. Our collaboration is total.”

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