Meloni’s government tested as Lega unites with 5 Star Movement over Ukraine

Five Star Movement’s call to stop aid to Ukraine and press for negotiations seems to have seduced Lega, marking a split from the rest of the governing parties concerning Kyiv in what appears to be a bid to attract voters ahead of upcoming elections.

This could be the start of a somewhat unexpected alliance between Matteo Salvini’s Lega (ID) and the 5-Star Movement of former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, even though the two shared power as the so-called ‘yellow-green’ government in 2018.

Lega’s group leader in the Senate, Massimiliano Romeno, proposed discussing in parliament on Wednesday whether the government would be committed to pushing for a swift solution to the war between Ukraine and Russia.

A move which was welcomed by the 5 Star Movement (M5S), with its group leader in the Senate, Stefano Patuanelli, said, “We will ask to be able to subscribe to Senator Romeo’s (League) agenda, and we will vote in favour” and acknowledged “totally agreeing with the premises”.

However, Lega’s pledge to the government does not mention the “necessary” stop to the supply of weapons, even though this is something the 5 Star Movement considers implicit.

“One cannot speak of peace while continuing to fuel the war by sending weapons. Lega should have courage and be consequent: take an extra step by explicitly asking for a stop to sending weapons”, said Patuanelli as he called for “coherence” from Salvini’s party.

But this ‘entente’ on Ukraine worries Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (ECR).

The group leader of Meloni’s party in the Chamber of Deputies, Tommaso Foti, immediately downplayed what went on in parliament, labelling Romeo’s proposal as a “personal position”.

Romeo is calling for a change in the government’s strategy on Ukraine, including a greater commitment to negotiations, opening a debate on the decree with which the Meloni government extends the possibility of sending arms to Ukraine in 2024.

“Italians say stop aid”, said Romeo, with his proposed text highlighting Ukraine’s weakness compared to the Russian giant and recalling that the US has already stopped supporting Kyiv, something he says will continue being the case if Donald Trump wins the next presidential election.

“I am most willing to accept what may be reformulations (…) The government has said that is the intention. I don’t know yet in what terms, but they have told me that they are working on a reformulation proposal”, Romeo explains.

“It is necessary to continue to support Ukraine’s resistance, which is fundamental, but there is also a strong demand that we begin to glimpse avenues leading to negotiations since it is clear that the conflict will not be resolved militarily but only through politics and diplomacy”, he added.

On the side of  Antonio Tajani’s Forza Italia (EPP), the group’s leader in the Senate called Romeo’s proposal “reasonable”, adding that “the peace table can only be held if the Russian attacks and bombings cease. Otherwise, the Ukrainians will never sit at a peace table”.

What the opposition says

As for the left-wing oppositions, deputies are divided on the Ukraine question.

The Democratic Party (PD/S&D) is reportedly considering presenting its official position in the Chamber while confirming its vote in favour of the decree to extend the authorisation for transferring military means, materials and equipment to the Ukrainian government authorities.

While there are doubts about Romeo’s proposal, PD deputy Lia Quartapelle voiced her opposition, noting that it seems to attempt to take responsibility away from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It seems to be written by Conte, ” commented Senator Enrico Borghi, Italia Viva (Renew) group leader in the Senate, who predicts the rebirth of a ‘yellow-green’ axis between Lega and 5 Star.

Lega’s Salvini will likely try to gain voters as the European elections are around the corner, particularly as his party, currently polling at a low 8% compared to the 28-29% of Meloni’s party, the party currently lags far behind its former glory days, which were notably marked by the last European elections in 2019 when Lega obtained a stunning 34%.

Salvini and Tajani could even be looking to grab for the premiership as Meloni has said herself that she would decide at the last minute whether to join the EU election race, particularly as her candidacy could be the key to Meloni’s list for the EU elections obtaining a desired 30%.

(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)

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