Giorgia Meloni at CPAC
Image from CPAC live stream
Italian conservative PM, Giorgia Meloni joined CPAC on link and delivered some remarks on the recent controversy in Munich as well as her assessments on the Ukraine issue. Meloni dismissed fears that US President Donald Trump would distance himself from Europe.
2025-02-25
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a virtual address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, on Saturday.
During her speech, she tackled contentious issues and echoed recent remarks made by Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference.
Meloni criticized what she referred to as ”American liberal leftism,” claiming it was being mirrored in Europe. She supported Vance’s comments regarding the broader challenges facing the continent.
“Vice President Vance was discussing something deeper: identity, democracy, freedom of speech,” she stated.
The security conference in Munich had been focused on Ukraine as an urgent security concern. Yet, Vance surprised everybody with him lecturing the European leadership on values.
“If those who were outraged had showed the same pride when Europe lost its strategic autonomy, tying its economy to autocratic regimes, or when European borders and our way of life were threatened by mass illegal migration, now we would live in a stronger Europe,” Meloni concluded.
Giorgia Meloni, once widely labeled as ”far-right,” has earned growing respect within the European establishment, largely due to her pragmatic leadership. Her stance on Ukraine has been different from first expected and more in align with main stream European.
Speaking at CPAC, Giorgia Meloni framed the war in Ukraine as a defining battle for freedom against a ”brutal aggressor,” referencing Russia. She praised the determination of the Ukrainian people, describing them as ”proud,” and emphasized the necessity of achieving a ”just and lasting peace,” which she argued requires unified efforts from both the United States and Europe.
”Throughout history many times Europeans and Americans have demonstrated that they are children of Pericles’ words: ”Happiness consists in freedom and freedom depends on courage”.
Since taking office, Meloni has adjusted her tone and rhetoric, though many of her core beliefs remain rooted in her political origins. A protégé of the late Silvio Berlusconi, who appointed her Minister of Youth in 2008, she co-founded the Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) in 2012. Her prominence surged during the pandemic, which cemented her as a key figure in Italian politics. At CPAC, she echoed conservative principles that once earned her the ”far-right” label.
”Unlike globalist elites, who believe the government should “educate” the people and force them to accept policies they never asked for, we believe in democracy. We are at the service of the people, we do not command them.”
In her 15 minutes adress Meloni argued that Europe has been “sacrificed on the altar of wokeness, bureaucracy, and mercantilism.”
”Because, my friends, I still believe in the West. In the West not as a physical place, but as a civilization. Civilization born from the encounter between Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Christian values. Civilization built and defended over the centuries with the genius, energy and sacrifices of many.”
Her message struck a powerful chord with the audience. Giorgia Meloni has skillfully balanced the demands of the European establishment with the aspirations of her nationalist and conservative base. Two and a half years into her term, when governing parties usually have a tough time in the polls, she is more popular than at the elections in 2022.