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President-elect Trump is scheduled to host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago this weekend, signaling plans for warmer relations with one of Europe’s closest ideological allies.
President Trump praised Meloni, 47, at a dinner on Saturday night, saying he had “taken Europe by storm.” Meloni was criticized by many media outlets as “far-right” and ran for office on a conservative platform of pro-family and anti-immigration policies, and was elected in 2022.
Meloni is Italy’s first female prime minister and has been the leader of the Italian Brotherhood Party since 2014. Her and her party’s popularity has soared thanks to a backlash over the Italian government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meloni’s coalition is likely to be Trump’s closest ideological ally in the European Union. Meloni also has a close relationship with Trump ally Elon Musk, who has visited Mar-a-Lago frequently since Election Day.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the media with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (not pictured) after a meeting at the Doria Pamphili residence in Rome, Italy, October 10, 2024 (Massimo Varricchia/ Null Photo, via Getty Images)
Like the United States, Italy faces a significant illegal immigration problem with migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach its shores. Meloni’s “return hub” policy guarantees that migrants are not released to Italy during asylum procedures, and she says the program has become a “model” for Europe.
“This is a new, courageous and unprecedented path, but one that fully reflects the European spirit,” she said of the program in October.
Mr. Meloni has also taken a contrary stance on social issues, moving last year to limit parental rights for same-sex couples. This policy ensures that only the biological parents of children within same-sex marriages enjoy full parental rights.
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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. and CEO of do. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing party has organized a four-day political extravaganza in the Italian capital. (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Meloni’s coalition has also proven unusually stable compared to Italy’s recent history. She has avoided intraparty conflict, and opposition leaders have been unable to unite around a candidate to effectively challenge her.
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This makes Meloni a natural choice to serve as a mediator between the Trump administration and the European Union over the next four years.
Giorgia Meloni showed up unannounced at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion this weekend. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
When Meloni visited President Trump’s Florida residence this weekend, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was also in attendance.
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President Biden is scheduled to visit Rome later this week and meet with Meloni and Pope Francis. The White House said Biden’s meeting with Meloni “highlights the strength of the U.S.-Italian relationship” and that the president thanked the prime minister for his “strong leadership in the G7 over the past year.” He said he plans to make an announcement.
Anders Hagström is a reporter for Fox News Digital, covering national politics and major breaking news. Send your tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or Twitter:@Hagstrom_Anders.
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