The triangle between Meloni, Musk and Trump agitates Italian politics

While the European Union looks askance at the movements of Elon Musk—ultra activist, owner of the social network His Government has confirmed that it is discussing with SpaceX, one of Musk’s companies, which is dedicated to aerospace manufacturing, a possible agreement for the Government itself to use a secure telecommunications system with encrypted telephone and internet services through the satellite network of the South African tycoon, Starlink. If completed, it would be the largest project of this type in Europe. This issue has unleashed a political storm with the opposition, which demands Meloni to clarify his intentions and reveal the details of the matter.

Meloni acknowledged that he is in contact with Musk’s company after the US news agency Bloombergspecialized in economic information, uncovers the information. This medium did not consider the agreement closed, but presented it as something very concrete and spoke of advanced negotiations with SpaceX and a close pact worth 1.5 billion euros for the supply of a complete range of high-level encryption for services. telephone and internet used by the Government. According to Bloombergwhich cites sources familiar with the matter, the alleged contract would also include telecommunications services for the Italian Armed Forces in the Mediterranean and satellite systems to act in emergencies such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters. And it would have already been approved by the Italian intelligence services and the Ministry of Defense.

Meloni’s team has pointed out that “the discussions with SpaceX are part of the normal discussions that the state apparatus maintains with companies, in this case, with those that deal with protected connections for the needs of encrypted data communication.” And he has denied “that contracts or agreements have been signed” between the Italian Government and the company for the use of the Starlink satellite communications system.

The news caused great confusion in Italy, which soon became controversial and shook Italian politics, especially when Elon Musk himself declared through X, the social network of which he also owns, that he was “ready to provide Italy the safest and most advanced connection.” The fact that Musk, the richest man on the planet, is also Donald Trump’s right-hand man and is about to take a position in his next Administration and that he is in full conflict with the European Union, has contributed to creating a political storm in Italy.

The opposition, which speaks of “disturbing news” and fears that Meloni’s political strategy is behind it, is up in arms against the prime minister, who in this sense is rowing in the opposite direction to that of other European partners. Some leaders such as the German Olaf Scholz, the French Emmanuel Macron or the British Keir Starmer have charged against Musk, also known for his support of ultra forces in half of Europe, accusing him of foreign interference.

The main opposition leaders have demanded that the prime minister go to Parliament to give explanations. “Are the ‘patriots’ in the Government putting our national security in the hands of Musk for the modest sum of 1.5 billion public euros? We ask Prime Minister Meloni and the entire Government for immediate transparency before Parliament,” claimed the leader of the 5 Star Movement and former Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte. The secretary of the Democratic Party, Elly Schlein, has also joined the petition: “Italy will not be sold. And Meloni should not think that he can get away with a few statements confided to press agencies and friendly newspapers. She and her Government should immediately come to inform Parliament about the negotiations with Musk. “National security, the money of Italian citizens and their sensitive data are at stake,” he said.

Matteo Renzi, former prime minister and leader of the centrist Italia Viva party, has also intervened along the same lines: “If Musk wants to invest in Italy, he is welcome. If Musk wants Italian taxpayers’ money, Meloni must explain why, how and when and why Musk does and others don’t. It seems like the minimum to me, right? “We will go to the end in this,” he warned.

Riccardo Magi, a deputy for the center-left +Europe party, has asked that any possible contract with Musk’s companies be reviewed and subject to approval by Parliament, and that “all details be made known with maximum transparency.”

For now, Meloni has remained cautious and has not commented on the issue publicly. Instead, the vice president and leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, has defended a possible operation between Rome and SpaceX. “Musk is a world leader in innovation: a possible agreement with him to guarantee connectivity and modernity throughout Italy would not be a danger, but an opportunity,” he published on his social networks. And he added: “I trust that the Government will accelerate in this direction, because offering better services to citizens is a duty.”

Trump: “A wonderful woman”

Meloni is politically close to Donald Trump, who will be sworn in as president of the United States at the end of the month. Italian politics maintains a great harmony with him, which is not new, but has increased in recent times. “She is a wonderful woman. “He has conquered Europe,” said the American last Sunday when receiving the Italian prime minister at his residence in Florida, to hold a reserved meeting. The Italian far-right leader also has a close connection with Elon Musk, with whom she has met on several occasions recently. This link has been criticized by the opposition, which has pointed to a potential conflict, considering the private economic interests that the magnate has in Italy.

The idea that is gaining ground among the Italian right is that Meloni becomes the European Union’s interlocutor with the United States, at a time of uncertainty regarding the upcoming Trump presidency, which has already threatened a trade escalation against the EU and a increase in tariffs. The Italian Minister of European Affairs, Tommaso Foti, has declared that the meeting of the two leaders in Florida demonstrates that Italy is a “privileged interlocutor” of the United States and that it could act as a “diplomatic bridge between two worlds.”

The agency Bloomberg noted that talks related to SpaceX’s telecommunications service to the Italian government had begun in 2023 and had recently reached a stalemate phase. And he pointed out that the negotiations advanced significantly after Meloni’s surprise visit to Trump. The Executive has categorically denied this aspect and has considered the news that the issue was addressed during the meeting “simply ridiculous.”