Italy's Meloni offers Germany's Merz cooperation on migration policy
In the telephone call on Monday, Meloni offered the presumptive next German chancellor close cooperation, "starting with the fight against irregular immigration," her office said.
Merz's conservative alliance - made up of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) - finished top on 28.5% of the vote, having promised to tackle irregular migration and step up deportations.
Meloni's office said she described German-Italian relations as excellent in the call, citing greater security and improved European competitiveness as key common goals.
Meloni has been at the head of a coalition of three right-wing and far-right parties since October 2022.
The two leaders have not met during Meloni's time in office.
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