Meloni opposes EU criticism on the state of Italian rule of law
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni dismissed criticism from the EU Commission regarding the state of the rule of law in her homeland. In a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) pledged "unlimited respect for the values on which the European Union is based". At the same time, she rejected allegations of attempting to bring the public broadcaster Rai under her control. Meloni has been leading a coalition of three right-wing parties for about two years.
The letter, published in Rome, is a response to the EU Commission's latest report on the rule of law in all 27 member states. In it, the Meloni government was advised to consider the independence of the judiciary during planned judicial reforms.
Additionally, concerns were raised about a constitutional reform that would allow Italy's prime ministers to be directly elected. There was also criticism regarding political influence on the Rai. Meloni wrote that politics had "shamelessly" filled positions in Italy's public broadcaster for decades. Her own government, however, is committed to free information, the fight against "Fake News", and pluralism.
Italy's left-wing opposition and journalists' unions are complaining about massive attempts by the right-wing camp to change the programming. The Commission also expressed concerns in its report about conditions in other EU countries, particularly regarding developments in Hungary and Slovakia. Meloni is currently on a visit to China.
- In response to the EU Commission's critique about the Rule of Law in her country, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assured EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of her "unlimited respect for the values" that form the EU's foundation.
- The EU Commission's latest report on the rule of law in member states advised the Meloni government to consider the independence of the judiciary during its planned judicial reforms, citing concerns about the potential influence on the public broadcaster Rai.
- Contending allegations of attempting to control Rai, Meloni asserted that politics had historically filled positions in Italy's public broadcaster with "shameless" influence, but her government is now dedicated to upholding free information, combating "Fake News", and promoting pluralism.
