Meloni: «Shocked by the case of Beniamino Zuncheddu, intervene on the unjust detentions». Regional: «Tables underway, candidates soon»

Three hours of press conference at the beginning of the year for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the new Chamber Group room. An appointment scheduled in recent days, but postponed due to the flu that hit the Prime Minister, an opportunity to take stock of government action and Italy's prospects in 2024.

"It will be a very complex year, with important deadlines, such as European elections and the presidency of the G7", underlined the prime minister, opening the press conference, wishing her "a happy new year" and apologizing for the postponements in recent days due to "health reasons" and certainly not, Meloni reiterated, due to the desire to avoid confrontation with the press, given that "in my life I have never run away". Then a barrage of questions from the journalists present.

REGIONAL – On the differences within the centre-right coalition on the candidates for regional and administrative elections, the Prime Minister explained: «Among people who speak clearly to each other and have relationships of mutual loyalty, when you don't agree you say so. There are tables for nominations and we don't want to get too close to the elections because the closer the vote gets, the hotter the climate becomes and we have to face the electoral campaign." Having said this, Meloni continued: «There are different points of view, but it's not something that worries me because an agreement has always been found. I am more concerned – explained Meloni – that the common candidates are identified too late".

ZUNCHEDDU CASE – During the conference the Prime Minister also spoke about the case of Beniamino Zuncheddu , who remained in prison for 32 years after being sentenced to life imprisonment for the Sinnai massacre, but on which the proceedings were reopened after the many doubts that surrounding the affair and the first investigations that saw him involved. Prompted by a question from a Radio Radicale journalist, Meloni said she was "very struck by the Zuncheddu case and the number of these cases", highlighting that according to estimates in Italy "there are on average one thousand victims of unjust detention every year". "Very high numbers, which need to be addressed," added Meloni, underlining that the Nordio bill goes precisely in this direction.

INFORMATION AND AI – In his introduction, Meloni spoke about the new laws on information and justice ("I don't see any gags") and above all about the impact of artificial intelligence, an impact which according to the Prime Minister can be "devastating" on the job market. A fact about which Meloni said she was "concerned" and which, she announced, will be focused on in view of the G7.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – «I haven't yet decided whether to run for the European Championships. I think it could be an opportunity to engage with the voters", said the prime minister in response to a question on the vote for Brussels, underlining how her candidacy could be useful for testing consensus and could also push other party leaders to do the same. itself, giving rise to a "very high level" political test.

MES – On the failure to ratify the new ESM and on the Giorgetti case, Meloni explained: «The government returned to Parliament and the amendment to the treaty was rejected. But there has never been a majority in Parliament to approve it, so much so that not only the centre-right, but also the M5S voted against it." The ESM, added the Prime Minister, is "an obsolete instrument", which is why failure to ratify it can become an opportunity to resolve the "problems" that characterize it.

ELLY SCHLEIN – Responding to an ad hoc question, Meloni then indicated his availability for a live discussion on TV with PD secretary Elly Schlein, perhaps in view of the European Championships.

MIGRANTS – Meloni said that "new priorities" need to be established regarding migrants. "What needs to be done in Africa is no longer charity" and there must no longer be a "predatory attitude", but cooperative relationships must be "built", stated the Prime Minister, adding that it is necessary to "defend people's right to do not emigrate before you have the right to emigrate", as the so-called Mattei Plan for Africa developed by the government proposes to do. On the increase in landings, the Prime Minister instead explained: «I do not consider the results obtained satisfactory, given the great work done. I know more was expected and I am ready to take responsibility. The aim is to stop departures to Africa by opening hotspots in Africa to evaluate who has the right to come" and at the same time "work to stop illegal immigration". But to do this, Meloni underlined, broader action is needed, at an international level.

BEACH RESIDENCES AND SELLERS – On seaside resorts and street vendors, "President Mattarella's appeal will not go unheard, I will evaluate with the other majority parties and with the ministers", said Meloni, underlining that "serious work" has already been done on the seaside resorts , with the mapping of the coasts and that a "reorganization rule" is needed, also in this case after a comparison with the EU.

JUSTICE AND BUREAUCRACY – On the topic of bureaucracy that afflicts and prevents investments, Meloni highlighted the «layering of age-old problems ranging from the issue of bureaucratic delays to the time of justice. Italy is a nation in which many would invest if we had greater certainties. I think these are two reforms that are needed, the reform of bureaucracy and justice, and I consider them two of my priorities for next year."

PREMIERED – Then the institutional reform which provides, among other things, for the direct election of the prime minister: Meloni reiterated that the role of the President of the Republic «will not be touched and will remain intact». With the reform, however, "the stability of the government is strengthened" and there is an end to governments "dismantled and reassembled with programs not voted for by anyone".

THE POZZOLO CASE – On the case of the shot fired from the gun of Fratelli d'Italia MP Emanuele Pozzolo on New Year's Eve, the Prime Minister explained: «Anyone who holds a weapon has the moral duty to look after it responsibly. This is why there is a problem with what happened, because what happened tells us that someone – Pozzolo – has responsibilities. It applies to the common citizen and it applies above all to a parliamentarian. So I asked that Pozzolo be referred to the Fdi arbitrators' commission and that he be suspended from the party."

ANAS INVESTIGATION – On the investigations regarding the Anas contracts , which involves Tommaso Verdini and from whose papers an interception emerges where there is talk of an «agreement with the League», Meloni commented: «I have no elements to comment on the fact itself. I think we need to wait for the work of the judiciary." Having said this, Meloni added: «From what I have read Salvini is not called into question and therefore I do not think he should report in court».

ELON MUSK – Meloni also spoke about Elon Musk, invited to the last Atreju party , responding to a journalist who underlined the discrepancy between his positions on surrogacy and the choice of the technology magnate (who among other things invited the Italians to have more children) to have their own child through surrogacy. "Having invited him and listened to him because he had something to say does not change my position against surrogacy and the business behind this practice," the prime minister said.

THE CENTER-RIGHT – «My relationship with the allies is excellent», Meloni then assured in response to a question on the balance within the center-right. “We have our internal debates and different positions, but the point is that when we have a problem we sit down until we have solved it,” added the prime minister.

THE OBJECTIVES FOR 2024 – In addition to Pnrr and justice and bureaucracy reform, Meloni has also indicated a plan for scholarships for deserving students among the objectives for the coming months.

FAMILISM – “Teased” about the alleged familism in Fratelli d'Italia, «this accusation of familism is starting to tire me», said Meloni, adding: «In the current legislature there are two married couples both on the left, Pd and Italian left who he has a group of 8 people so the couple makes up 25% of the party and there has never been an accusation of familism. We know that when you dedicate a lot of time to politics people become friends, wives or husbands, but it doesn't take away the value of the militant." «My sister – Meloni then said – has been an Fdi militant for 30 years, perhaps I should have put her in a state subsidiary like the others do, I put her to work for my party».

(Unioneonline/lf)