Laurence Boone threatens Italy: The era of leaders simply meddling into the affairs of other countries in the name of made-up claims of righteousness and democracy are long gone. History has witnessed powerful countries like the US waging wars and influencing the politics of foreign nations.
However, people are much more informed now and do not extend their support to illegitimate invasions and violent struggles based on twisted facts and that is what the French administration should understand. They should grasp that the developments in a foriegn land are not to be mingled with.
French Minister threatens Italy
French European Affairs Minister Laurence Boone said that after Italy’s new right wing government headed by the expected PM Georgia Meloni takes power, France ‘will be very attentive to respect of values and the rule of law.’
Laurence Boone has essentially threatened the forthcoming administration in Italy to keep their conservatism in check or else France could rally the EU nations against Meloni.
In an interview with Italian newspaper la Repubblica, Laurence Boone said: “We want to work with Rome but we will monitor respect for rights and freedoms” and “we will pay close attention to respect of values and the rule of law. The EU has already shown that it is vigilant toward other countries such as Hungary and Poland.”
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European powerhouses like Germany and France are wary of Meloni’s rise to power. Both Paris and Berlin are Washington’s allies and are expected to counter the rise of conservatism in the EU. Also, Meloni’s reputation is quite extraordinary. She seems like something of a far-right leader who would for sure rebel against the EU leadership and tilt Rome towards Moscow.
Meloni gives Laurence Boone a piece of her mind
The future PM Meloni was naturally irked at the French minister for having threatened the sovereignty of Italy and for interfering in the internal affairs of Rome.
Meloni wrote on Facebook on Friday: “I want to hope that, as often happens, the leftist press has misrepresented the real statements made by foreign government officials, and I trust that the French government will immediately deny these words, which resemble too much an unacceptable threat of interference against a sovereign state and a member of the European Union.”
She has politely told Bonne to mind her own business and has even given her a chance to retract or even rephrase the comments the latter made.
Well you see, this is not the first time that a French Politician has interfered in Italy’s internal affairs. French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne previously said: “I do not comment on the democratic choice of the Italian people” but at the same time France must be attentive “to certain values such as human rights and the right to abortion.”
Meloni reportedly did not take the comments of the French PM too well and rightfully so. Both Borne and Bonne have no right to interfere in the working of a government elected democratically by the people of Italy.
Read More: EU invites Italy’s wrath as Ursula goes bonkers at Meloni
The EU leadership is threatened by the rise of Meloni on the political stage and wants to avoid a scenario similar to what they faced with Poland and Hungary. But as you know, closeness with the EU and a conflict with Russia even fetched for Rome other hand record-high inflation, financial instability and humiliation.
In an interview with Le Figaro before the election, Meloni suggested that her government could upset that relationship with France and she intends to put Italy first.
She said: “We want an Italy that matters more, in a more balanced Europe than the one we have seen in recent years. Italy must be able to defend its interests in Europe, as France and Germany do.”
Meloni would surely do what is best for Italy, even if it means getting into a war of words with Russia. At least, it would help the nation secure its energy security so that it could drive sustainable manufacturing and tackle inflation.
