The president of the EPP Weber to the national council of Forza Italia: “Antonio is the right man”

«A leader knows how to make even difficult decisions, Antonio is the right man». At the Forza Italia National Council in the Hotel Parco dei Principi, the president of the European People’s Party Manfred Weber sits in the front row. He wanted to be there in person. He was present to support Forza Italia’s new course – “carrying this success story forward” – with the awareness that the state of health of the party founded by Silvio Berlusconi directly conditions the fate of his political group in the next European elections.
She is credited with the desire to bring the Popolari closer to the Conservatives. Meloni spoke at the Vox rally on Thursday. Is his group compatible with parties such as the Spanish extreme right?
«The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is the president of the ECR, the European Conservatives, I am the president of the EPP, the Popolari. At the European level, we are in electoral competition, a competition fought with conviction. I want to underline that the EPP is the centre-right, we defend European values, this is what moves us».
But do you confirm your intention to strengthen dialogue with the Conservatives for a possible alliance after next year’s European elections?
«Today the debate is not about alliances, but about the electoral success we can bring home. We have the European elections ahead of us, we are in competition, I repeat. I aim to bring votes to the EPP from both the centre-left, the liberals, and the conservative right. We fight for ourselves and in your country for Forza Italia. The polls are encouraging. Voters are looking with interest to the centre, they want to see serious, pro-European and unambiguous policies. This is motivating for us.”
Are you worried about the future of Forza Italia?
«Today I am here to help give a strong impetus to the EPP in Italy. Forza Italia has always been on Europe’s side and this is what matters, this makes the difference. It is what people see when they look at Antonio Tajani and his party ».
The European Parliament has approved the Nature Restoration Law package. Part of the votes came from the Ppe, which did not vote with the right. Was the passage read as a first failed test to bring the Popolari closer to Giorgia Meloni’s group?
«The EPP has a clear position on the issue. We believe we must pursue policies to respond to climate change and preserve biodiversity, but together with farmers, together with the food chain. We need to put aside the ideological approach of EU Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans. We must do this together as a society. We all want to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, but together with these people, not against them.”