Latest news with #GiorgiaMeloni
LeMonde
20 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
The French far right's Giorgia Meloni problem
Whether out of a sense of heritage or opportunism, Jordan Bardella has, in recent months, looked to Italy, the homeland of three of his grandparents, for inspiration. One name often comes up in the speeches of Marine Le Pen's "Plan B": Italian government leader Giorgia Meloni. Yet Meloni is not an ally of their far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party. Instead, Le Pen has always preferred to align herself with the Italian populist Matteo Salvini, whom she recently visited in Rome on May 11, and who, on June 9, will participate in an RN rally. Le Pen and Salvini are linked by a friendly loyalty and several fundamental principles: intense populism, an obsession with Islam, rejection of immigration, distrust of the European Union, and historically close ties to Russia. Bardella, on the other hand, is solely focused on Meloni's brand of national conservatism, with its economically liberal policies – even though he sits in the European Parliament with members of Salvini's Lega. This has raised eyebrows among some Le Pen loyalists: "Giorgia Meloni has shown results, and may be a respectable European model, but that's not our line. And, if there is an attempt to abandon the populist line, then that's dangerous," said one influential MP.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Italy calls Council of Europe 'shameful' after warning on police racism
ROME: Italy lashed out at the Council of Europe on Thursday and defended its police after the European human rights body named Italy among countries where racist conduct among law enforcers was a problem. In presenting its 2025 annual report on Wednesday, the head of the Council's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Italy to launch an independent enquiry into evidence that its police disproportionately targeted immigrants. Bertil Cottier said so-called 'racial profiling', by which the police stop people on the basis of their skin colour or presumed nationality or religion, appeared to be an issue in Italy and called on the government to look into it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini, who both lead far-right parties that base their appeal on law-and-order and the fight against illegal immigration, bluntly dismissed the suggestion. 'ECRI's words, accusing the Italian police of racism, are simply shameful,' Brothers of Italy chief Meloni posted on social media platform X on Wednesday. League leader Salvini doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters in Rome that the anti-racism panel 'should be ashamed,' and calling it 'another useless body paid for by Italian and European citizens, that produces rubbish in return.' The head of state Sergio Mattarella summoned Italy's police chief for a meeting on Thursday, 'to re-confirm the admiration and trust of the country in its law enforcers.' The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment. The Strasbourg-based organisation, which has 46 member states, was founded in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights in the continent. The latest ECRI report was an overview of its activities in 2024 and did not specifically discuss the Italian situation. However, in ECRI's latest country-specific report in October, it flagged 'numerous accounts of racial profiling by law enforcement officials, targeting especially Roma and people of African descent' in Italy.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Italy calls Council of Europe 'shameful' for police racism
ROME: Italy lashed out at the Council of Europe on Thursday and defended its police after the European human rights body named Italy among countries where racist conduct among law enforcers was a problem. In presenting its 2025 annual report on Wednesday, the head of the Council's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Italy to launch an independent enquiry into evidence that its police disproportionately targeted immigrants. Bertil Cottier said so-called 'racial profiling', by which the police stop people on the basis of their skin colour or presumed nationality or religion, appeared to be an issue in Italy and called on the government to look into it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini, who both lead far-right parties that base their appeal on law-and-order and the fight against illegal immigration, bluntly dismissed the suggestion. 'ECRI's words, accusing the Italian police of racism, are simply shameful,' Brothers of Italy chief Meloni posted on social media platform X on Wednesday. League leader Salvini doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters in Rome that the anti-racism panel 'should be ashamed,' and calling it 'another useless body paid for by Italian and European citizens, that produces rubbish in return.' The head of state Sergio Mattarella summoned Italy's police chief for a meeting on Thursday, 'to re-confirm the admiration and trust of the country in its law enforcers.' The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment. The Strasbourg-based organisation, which has 46 member states, was founded in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights in the continent. The latest ECRI report was an overview of its activities in 2024 and did not specifically discuss the Italian situation. However, in ECRI's latest country-specific report in October, it flagged 'numerous accounts of racial profiling by law enforcement officials, targeting especially Roma and people of African descent' in Italy.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Alinghi could rejoin as America's Cup challenger, but slams Team NZ for lack of consultation
Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton presents Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of its 2024 boat, Taihoro, at a function in Rome, 27 May, 2025. Photo: Ian Roman / America's Cup/Photosport Alinghi have hinted they could rejoin the America's Cup, but have slated Team New Zealand for celebrating the announcement of Naples as the 2027 host city without agreeing on a protocol with the Challenger of Record. Team NZ have responded saying they had complied with the cup's Deed of Gift' in choosing Naples. The Swiss syndicate announced in April that they would not compete in Naples , citing a lack of accountability and transparency from Team NZ as Defender of the America's Cup over the future of the event. Alinghi had now suggested they could take part in Naples, if Team NZ and the Challenger of Record, Britain's Athena Racing, could agree on a protocol that sets out "an equitable sporting framework" for the event. But the Swiss syndicate called into question Team NZ's consultation with Athena. At a function in Naples on Thursday, Team NZ celebrated the announcement of the Italian city with local and central government officials. That drew an angry riposte from Alinghi, who won the cup in 2003 and 2007. "While we wholeheartedly welcome the choice of Naples as a perfect host venue for the Cup in 2027, our concerns were deepened yesterday when Team New Zealand celebrated the announcement of the host venue at an event in the city,'' Alinghi said in a statement. "They had no right to do so without first having agreed a protocol with the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing, who were not consulted on the host venue arrangements which critically impact all challenging teams with regards to cost and logistics. "In signing a commercial deal with the host city that includes the Challenger Selection Series of races for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable." Team NZ race Alinghi in the America's Cup preliminary regatta in Barcelona, 2024. Photo: AFP In response, Team NZ said they did have the right to choose the venue. "The Defender, as per the Deed of Gift has the right and responsibility to choose the venue and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America's Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the Defender," Team NZ said in a statement. "The Defender remains committed to work with the teams to create a partnership for the future America's Cups." The syndicate then added a further clarification. "The MOU with the Challenger of Record also says: "The Venue for the Match and for the preceding CSS will be determined and announced by the AC38 Defender within eight months of the AC37 Final Race. The final dates for the Match and the preceding CSS will be announced within a further two months of the Venue announcement." The Alinghi salvo follows criticism from both Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing and the American Magic syndicate last week about a lack of transparency over the protocol for the next cup. American Magic cast doubt over its participation in Naples, but Team NZ responded saying the claims made were "unreasonable" and they were working closely with all teams to strengthen the future of the event. Alinghi said growing concerns about the cup's governance had led to Société Nautique de Genève raising questions with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron about the administration of the competition. "Like Athena Racing and American Magic, we believe that a successful America's Cup hinges on openness, trust and a shared understanding among all participants. "We remain hopeful that a protocol between the Defender and the Challenger of Record can be agreed that establishes an equitable sporting framework for the racing and a commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders. "If this can be achieved, then Alinghi is ready to explore ways that we can be part of that future, especially in the wonderful city of Naples in 2027, a truly fitting setting for the world's greatest sailing competition." Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton had been at functions in both Rome and Naples this week, celebrating the announcement of the host city. At the Rome function, he presented Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of Taihoro, Team NZ's winning boat in last year's edition of the Cup. In Naples, he referred to Italy's Luna Rossa syndicate as "our dear friends and closest competitors" and said the Italian government had been "amazing to deal with from the very start". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Italy calls Council of Europe 'shameful' after warning on police racism
ROME (Reuters) -Italy lashed out at the Council of Europe on Thursday and defended its police after the European human rights body named Italy among countries where racist conduct among law enforcers was a problem. In presenting its 2025 annual report on Wednesday, the head of the Council's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Italy to launch an independent enquiry into evidence that its police disproportionately targeted immigrants. Bertil Cottier said so-called "racial profiling", by which the police stop people on the basis of their skin colour or presumed nationality or religion, appeared to be an issue in Italy and called on the government to look into it. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her deputy Matteo Salvini, who both lead far-right parties that base their appeal on law-and-order and the fight against illegal immigration, bluntly dismissed the suggestion. "ECRI's words, accusing the Italian police of racism, are simply shameful," Brothers of Italy chief Meloni posted on social media platform X on Wednesday. League leader Salvini doubled down on Thursday, telling reporters in Rome that the anti-racism panel "should be ashamed," and calling it "another useless body paid for by Italian and European citizens, that produces rubbish in return." The head of state Sergio Mattarella summoned Italy's police chief for a meeting on Thursday, "to re-confirm the admiration and trust of the country in its law enforcers." The Council of Europe did not respond to a request for comment. The Strasbourg-based organisation, which has 46 member states, was founded in 1949 to promote democracy and human rights in the continent. The latest ECRI report was an overview of its activities in 2024 and did not specifically discuss the Italian situation. However, in ECRI's latest country-specific report in October, it flagged "numerous accounts of racial profiling by law enforcement officials, targeting especially Roma and people of African descent" in Italy.
