"A scenario that requires unity, responsibility, and clarity ," said Giorgia Meloni in Parliament, opening her remarks on the situation in Iran before the vote on the resolution presented by the majority to "condemn the destabilizing role of the Islamic Republic throughout the region" and to "reaffirm the importance of safeguarding the integrity and security of the European Union's land, air, and sea borders, and ensuring that they are effectively protected."
The majority document was approved in the Senate with 102 votes in favor, 66 against, and 1 abstention, and then also in the Chamber with 196 votes, 122 against, and 3 abstentions.
During her speech, the Prime Minister focused on the crisis of international law, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threats "in which we must place the American and Israeli intervention in Iran" , in which Italy "does not take part and does not intend to take part".
So a reflection on Italy's diplomatic commitment, and the condemnation of Iran's "destabilizing role" , and its missile capacity to strike Italy and Europe.
Italy has three main directions for action: first, diplomatic efforts , "impossible as long as Iran continues its attacks on the Gulf countries." But it also calls for "the protection of civilians during American and Israeli attacks," and calls for "clarification on the massacre of girls in an Iranian school."
Second, " complete the safety of the dozens of Italians remaining in the area ."
Third, "Italy's participation in two defense missions." The first is Aspides , whose naval force it will assume command of next week with the ship Rizzo, currently in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen. The other is Atalanta , with the ship Bianchi, engaged in anti-piracy patrols along the coast of Somalia .
Regarding military bases, Meloni emphasized that all countries are committed to respecting the agreements made in this regard. " And that's what Italy is doing, and it's surprising that this decision is being condemned at home and praised abroad, including in Spain ," the prime minister said. "The bases granted are based on agreements dating back to 1954, constantly updated by governments of all stripes." And I reiterate that to date, "we have not received any requests regarding their use."
Regarding Lebanon, "I reiterated to Israel Italy's complete opposition to any escalation," stressing the importance of "supporting Hezbollah's disarmament efforts."
Then a passage on "multidimensional support" for Ukraine and the need to maintain pressure on Moscow, to bring it "to the negotiating table and contribute constructively to peace."
INTERNAL SECURITY AND ENERGY SPECULATION – He then recalled the Government's commitment to internal security , measures to combat the surge in fuel prices, including the possible activation of mobile excise taxes , and particular attention to "preventing speculation on the crisis." " I advise caution to anyone considering exploiting this situation to enrich themselves at the expense of citizens and businesses, because we will do everything we can to prevent speculation on the crisis , including, if necessary, recovering the proceeds of speculation through increased taxation of the companies responsible ."
On the energy issue, Giorgia Meloni reiterated her commitment to strengthening Italy's strategic autonomy. She also called on the next EU Council to temporarily suspend the ETS mechanism , "which requires a review."
UKRAINE AND EU DEFENSE – Next week's EU Council will also discuss "Ukraine: the conflict has entered its fifth year, Italy's position has never changed, we remain in support of the country, as I reiterated to Zelensky in our last meeting last Thursday." The EU Council will also discuss European defense readiness , "an increasingly timely and urgent issue, particularly with regard to the action plan on drones and anti-drone security, to which Italy, with its excellent defense industry, can make a vital contribution."
THE ATTACK ON THE JUDGES – And again the issue of immigration , with a new attack on the judges , according to which "illegal migrants convicted of drug dealing, resisting a public official, sexual assault in collusion, gang rape and sexual assault on a minor" cannot be "detained or repatriated because they have instrumentally applied for international protection".
" Today's crises do not allow for weakness or ambiguity: either Europe defends its borders, its freedom, and its well-being, or it is doomed to irrelevance in a world that treats no one with decency ," Meloni concluded. "It matters little that people try to say we are isolated precisely when we are at the center of every international coordination event; it matters little that we are told every time that the government should choose sides. I do not share this provincial vision of international politics, and even less do I share the idea that there is always someone to take a cue from." "We stand with a single interest: that of Italy , with roots in the Mediterranean, head in Europe, and heart in the West."
THE RESOLUTION – A total of five resolutions were presented (the majority resolution, along with the Five Star Movement, the Democratic Party, the Italian Socialist Party, and the Italian National Alliance (IV), along with Azione and +Europa). The majority resolution, the only one to receive approval, seeks, among other things, to "condemn Iran's destabilizing role throughout the region, expressing its full support for the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom." Another commitment is to "reaffirm the importance of safeguarding the integrity and security of the European Union's land, air, and sea borders, and to ensure their effective protection." The majority aims to "support and promote, in all European and international fora, the fundamental role of the Aspides and Atalanta maritime defense operations" and "to promote, in coordination with European institutions and member states, the possible adaptation and strengthening of these missions, should the situation on the ground require it." The other opposition resolutions were precluded or deemed partially absorbed.
THE OPPOSITION – During the debate in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, the center-right majority expressed full support for the government's actions. The opposition, however, harshly criticized the government's position on the Middle East crisis.
"Put down your club, President. This is not the case in the current situation... those watching us deserve a different kind of spectacle, not a mud fight," Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein said in her speech to the Chamber of Deputies. She added: "We are calling for an immediate ceasefire. The government must insist on returning to the negotiating and political path. We believe Trump and Netanyahu's bombs must stop; at least start saying so." Schlein continued, "I want to be very clear: no one here will regret the theocratic regime in Tehran, which we have always condemned. We have always stood alongside the Iranian people in the fight for freedom, and we have been in the streets ever since the brutal killing of Mahsa Amini. I don't remember seeing you."
"Let us understand," M5S leader Giuseppe Conte said in his voting statement, "when it comes to attacking magistrates, you transform yourself into a seasoned jurist, you know more than those who have the files in hand—from Garlasco to Rogoredo to the family in the woods. But when we talk about a dramatic crisis, you say, 'I have no evidence,' and you act like Sleeping Beauty. But if you don't have evidence," Conte added, "we'll give it to you. What's happening is a repeated and insistent attack, a systematic violation of international law that doesn't fall within Article 51 of the United Nations Charter."
(Unioneonline/vl-lf)