Manfred Weber: “AfD neo-Nazi and Salvini helped it. Fdi…”
The People’s Party holds the cards in Europe. The president of the EPP, Manfred Weber, in an interview with Corriere della Sera appears categorical: “Salvini contributed to the growth process of the AfD in Europe and Germany and is now increasingly isolated in the EU”. While on Schlein he declares: “The Democratic Party voted against the agreement on migration together with Afd and Le Pen. Go back to compromises in the EU”. And on Meloni: “The Italian government is a reliable partner”: Here is the interview given to Corriere della Sera.
“Europe is at a historic turning point and voters must realize that nothing is automatically guaranteed.” German Manfred Weber is president of the European People’s Party and group leader of the EPP in the European Parliament. In recent years he has worked in Brussels in close contact with Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani to keep the Rome government linked to Europe and the EPP, despite heavy criticism from Bavarian President Markus Söder after the 2022 Italian elections. What are the EPP’s priorities for the next 5 years? «[…] For the EPP there are two priorities. The first is the economy. […] preserve competitiveness, strengthen our industry, bring jobs back to Europe and ensure a decent income for people. The second priority is safety. The threat from Russia is real. On Wednesday I was in Finland: Russia is questioning its border, even with Lithuania. We must strengthen European defense by pooling national armies and developing industry to maintain peace in Europe, to be so strong that no one ever thinks of attacking us again.”
Immigration is a controversial topic. The EPP in favor of the “Rwanda model”? «The EPP is a party of values. This means that every person who arrives on European soil is a human being and their dignity must be respected. We are for the right to asylum and respect for the Geneva Convention for refugees. But at the external border of the EU, in Italy, in Greece and also in Finland, we see that the majority of people arriving are illegal economic migrants. […] It is the states that decide who arrives in Europe and not the traffickers. Now it is a question of implementing this agreement with European funds.
Managing migration is key. I was surprised to see that the Democratic Party voted against the migration agreement, together with the AfD and Le Pen’s party. We need parties and politicians ready to accept compromise at European level to solve the problems. Mine is also an invitation in particular to the Democratic Party: please, return to a serious compromise approach.”
Is the door open to an alliance with S&D and liberals? «According to the polls, the EPP will come first again […] the EPP […] is always ready to be a partner for pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine and pro-rule of law democratic parties. In Italy the Democratic Party voted against the pact on migration which was accepted by Meloni and Scholz, it was a broad compromise at European level. The Italian socialists have chosen to go into opposition. It depends on them if they are ready to support our contents, we will be the winners of the elections.” The Rassemblement National and the League broke with Afd. Can we talk to them now? «For the EPP it has always been clear that Alternative für Deutschland is a neo-Nazi party. The AfD wants to destroy my Christian Democratic Europe. Le Pen and Salvini have made the AfD strong because in recent years they have always collaborated with it, giving the perception of recognition at a European level. Salvini contributed to the growth process of the AfD in Europe and Germany. Now Salvini is rather isolated in Europe, voting for him is a waste because the League has no influence. It must be clear that Le Pen is financed by Russia and Viktor Orbán by China. The far-right populist forces are for nationalism and selfishness.”
What do you have in common with Fratelli d’Italia? «[…] The vote on migration, with FdI in favor and the Democratic Party against, gives a clear indication of who is ready to accept European compromises.” If FdI’s support is needed to elect von der Leyen, what will you ask Meloni? «[…] If we have a mandate from the citizens as the first party, I invite everyone to support our candidates for the presidency of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen and of the EU Parliament Roberta Metsola. So far the Italian government has been a reliable partner and this gives me hope that we can work together even after the polls.” […]
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