The war with the reconstruction of Ukraine and reflections on the Silk Road with China. But also internal problems, from the climate of political violence that is returning in the country to appointments in the main holding companies (“Discontinuity is not dogma,” he says), from the drought to the seaside resorts. Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, is one of the men most listened to (some say even more influential) in the Meloni government. And with 360 degrees, it doesn’t shy away from any of the currently hottest topics.
Let’s start with the political climate. The attacks by right-wing extremists in Florence, but also the wreath of flowers for the young right-wing extremist Paolo Di Nella, who was murdered in the 1980s and burned by representatives of the ultra-left. Plus the anarchist pro-cospito belching. Are you afraid to go back to the 70s?
“First. Anyone who commits violence, no matter where they come from, will never find justification from this government. And that needs to be clear. My generation still has the historical memory of what happened in the late ’60s, when the emergence of certain phenomena was underestimated. Now, unfortunately, this historical memory is lost. And then, when the fire breaks out, it affects everyone”.
What to do?
“I believe that if the will is there, Parliament could address the issue, perhaps by increasing penalties for assaulting students or lengthening suspensions for those who repeat certain offences. Here we have threats against parliamentarians, our diplomats’ cars set on fire, terrorists at gatherings in social centers. Political violence, wherever it comes from, must be eradicated.
Just like the war should be stopped. A year has passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while peace talks are being sought, rebuilding is also beginning to be considered. What role will Italy play?
“Italy and the other Western nations have always had a clear position, and while the war is ongoing, the goal is to end the conflict with a just peace that allows Ukrainians to self-determine themselves as a people according to democratic rules.”
And then?
“Then Italy, thanks to its newfound international credibility, has earned the opportunity to also participate with its associated companies and private companies in an effective recovery that will lead Ukraine back to a functioning system.”
What is the biggest emergency in agriculture?
«I talked to the Minister of Ukraine about it, we need to guarantee the export of grain, modernize the agrarian system and avoid abandonment of the territory. Farming is a profession that is passed from father to son, with many men serving as soldiers or displaced persons on the front lines, the risk of this tradition being disrupted is real».
Meloni’s trip to Kiev preceded Berlusconi’s remarks about Zelenskyy. Was the prime minister’s mission also a message to the allies of the majority?
«You see, Meloni is not going to Kiev to clarify the government’s positions, because there is no doubt on the part of the USA, England, Germany and other international partners. There were some explanations that could have made us see problems, but they don’t exist because they didn’t translate into action. These are statements, opinions, comments.
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So case closed?
‘I repeat, the documents speak for the government. It would have been much more serious if it had been the other way around: yes and no statements. In any case, there are things FdI talks about and things it doesn’t talk about. This includes standing with the West on this issue and standing together. It is one of our missions, one of the main points of the center-right program which, unlike that of the left, is unified. Discussing this would lead to consequences that will not exist because no plot prompts a second thought.”
Is there an ongoing reflection on the Silk Road?
“We will act with great caution, which has not been the case in the past, where in fact – I am referring to the Conte government – there have been gray areas. As a very important trading partner, China has advantages, but also disadvantages: a development model far from ours, different rules on respect for workers’ rights, a different approach to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the climate, Africa. It will be necessary to work with the European countries and also with the United States, with the NATO countries, because an alliance is an alliance, not just a military one. We defend international law, freedom. For us it is a dogma for safeguarding democratic nations”.
For her part, she seems to be perceiving a renewed commitment to international issues. Now Meloni is going to India, then to Abu Dhabi.
“You know what a US diplomat told me? If they used to only talk to France and Germany, now we’re also dealing with the big issues. And that refutes all the prejudices that have been expressed about our government. It also applies to the Mediterranean, in contact with the Maghreb: Algeria, Egypt, Libya. We want to reclaim our role in the Mediterranean. In the First Republic it was an established fact, in the last 15 years of absence it got a bit lost».
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“We must stop the irregular immigration that creates the conditions for development and food security for African nations. Those who flee their homes, from the Sahel or elsewhere, do so to avoid starvation or persecution by Islamized terrorists. The Mattei plan, relaunched by Prime Minister Meloni, is above all this, as well as energy ».
Incidentally, ENI will play a crucial role. And that brings us to the nominations of the associated companies. The league calls for “discontinuity” in management decisions. What does FDI say?
«Discontinuity is not a dogma, neither is continuity. Selection is made based on performance and design vision. We want companies to join forces to restart the Italian system ».
Let’s get back to the events of our house. The drought emergency
«Over the years we have needed a strategy that did not exist. And then the water dispersal, the water of rivers, lakes, seas managed by too many institutions. On March 1st we have a control room with Meloni, me, the ministers Salvini, Fitto, Musumeci, Pichetto. We will consider appointing a commissioner to manage this emergency phase.”
Super bonus and bathing establishments?
“I will not go into the merits of the measures, but the rules and of course the indications of the Quirinale must definitely be respected on both fronts, also to protect the fabric of production and those who have made sacrifices and investments in these two sectors.” .
The Europeans are a year away. What do you want to achieve? Presidentialism and maybe even alone?
“We are going ahead and trying to involve all political forces. If they’re willing to discuss it, fine. Otherwise we continue. We will not look back on our program.”
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