Controversy over Trump's swearing-in: President Meloni, a (misunderstood) genius of Europeanism?

(To Andrea Cucco)
22/01/25

The presence of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, at the inauguration ceremony of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has sparked heated controversy. Meloni was – as they repeat tirelessly the news – “the only European leader to attend the event”. A choice that some interpret as a sign of political alignment with the Trump administration.

What could be the real meaning of this initiative?

Giorgia Meloni, already with Biden, had reiterated that “Italy and the US have a strong relationship regardless of governments”. A phrase that almost sounds like a mantra, but opens a reflection: our relationship with the United States is truly that of an autonomous ally or rather that of a nation that has not yet come to terms with its own history? Italy, unlike Germany, Japan or other countries, has never openly acknowledged its defeat in the Second World War. The “armistice” is still today a narrative that avoids using the word “unconditional surrender”.

Perhaps, President Meloni is subtly trying to start a path of truth? The Quirinal should definitively put an end to this masochistic self-delusion.

Let's go back to the solitary presence in Washington... If a regional president, say of Valle d'Aosta or Basilicata, were invited to a major international event and advertised in his small fraction that he had represented Italy as the "only one present", how would we react? We would criticize his blatant and charlatan self-celebration or we would grasp the subtle and intelligent message of constructive criticism towards his country of origin?

Meloni, with her presence, may have wanted to send a message: “The world is made up of outsized, united and solid actors, we must strive to have a single voice, a single government, a single representation, a single force in Europe". A patriotic message, certainly, but also a visionary one: Why can't Europe be politically united? Why are we trapped in a "condominium meeting" without the strength to make strategic decisions as a truly united continent?

A cohesive Europe could even have an executive composed entirely of Greeks, Germans, Spaniards or, why not, Italians. It would not be a "partisan" government, but the government of Europe, with the common interest at heart but open and ready to welcome new realities.

For those who see a future as “51st US star,” here’s an inconvenient reality: those places don’t exist! (At most, they’re for Panama or Greenland…)

Ultimately, the controversy over Meloni's participation appears sterile and perhaps short-sighted. One may not like the message or the way it is conveyed, but ignoring its (very occult) significance means not understanding that Italy, for better or for worse, is still seeking its role in the world and - probably - is inviting Europe to be born united.

Photo: Presidency of the Council of Ministers