Meloni receives the Dutch Rutte at Palazzo Chigi

The President of the Council Giorgia Meloni he will receive his Dutch counterpart at Palazzo Chigi this afternoon Mark Rutte. The visit had been in the air for a few days, as anticipated by the Foglio, and is justified by the possible convergences that could unexpectedly bind the two leaders in view of the next European council on 24 and 25 March.

The issues on the table are once again overhauled Stability and growth pact, response to the inflation reduction act (IRA) and migration policies. Both countries are against the plan by France and Germany to open the taps of state aid to respond to the Biden administration’s IRA, while on migration Rutte was surprised by the Italian premier’s determination to find pragmatic solutions. As for the Stability and Growth Pact, today’s discussion will serve to probe the positions regarding the preliminary agreement reached on Monday by the European sherpas which well summarizes the differences between Italy and the Netherlands, providing for more time and flexibility to reduce the debt in exchange for reforms and investment for growth.

It is the second time in just under a year that Rutte has visited Palazzo Chigi. In April 2022, the Dutch premier met Mario Draghi in Rome, in the midst of gas price increases and discussions on the European price cap, of which Holland was one of the main opponents.