Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron have met in Paris to try and reconcile their countries’ strained relationship. The meeting was months in the making and lasted almost two hours. The French and Italian governments have had their differences since Meloni took office at the end of last year. However, the two leaders tried to move past these differences, sharing a smile and relaxing, indicating convergence on themes including migration, the EU, and support for Ukraine.
France and Italy, as the second- and third-largest economies in the euro area, have many issues in common. However, there have been no shortage of statements demonstrating tension. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said recently that Meloni was “incapable of fixing Italy’s migration problems,” and Meloni criticized Macron in February over a dinner he hosted with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, saying it was inappropriate that she wasn’t invited.
Moreover, a lack of personal chemistry between the two leaders on previous encounters, including on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Japan, added to the tone. The meeting, which had been delayed for months, helped to bring the two leaders closer, according to French officials. Expectations for Tuesday’s meeting were high, with topics also including economic cooperation.
3The future of former monopoly Telecom Italia SpA, in which the government has been taking an active role due to the company’s financial strains, is one of the most closely watched issues for investors. France’s Vivendi SE is its biggest shareholder and has been questioning a deal to sell its landline network in order to reduce debt, asking for a higher price. This has been a source of tension between Rome and the French company. However, the issue was not discussed at the meeting.
In joint news, Italy and France developed the SAMP/T air defense system, known as MAMBA, that is being deployed in Ukraine. Both leaders announced that it is now operational. Italy and France have significant roles in the EU and need to maintain a good working relationship to ensure that they continue to play their central role.