Merz-Meloni meeting: a German-Italian power duo?
Germany and Italy plan to work more closely together. During German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Rome on Friday, he and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signed agreements on closer cooperation in the areas of security, migration and defence, and announced joint initiatives in economic policy. Commentators speculate on where this could lead.
Establishing a novel axis
El Mundo hopes this will make an impact on foreign policy:
“The summit established a new political axis within the EU tasked with formulating the European response to two challenges: the military threat from Russia and pressure from the US. ... Security and competitiveness are two inseparable dimensions of the same strategy. ... Moreover, the coordination between Rome and Berlin takes on a geopolitical dimension thanks to Meloni's relationship with Trump, because she understands American logic and can balance it with European engagement. In a world order dominated by brute force, the goal is to prevent Europe from getting caught between an aggressive Russia and a transaction-oriented US.”
Rome is Berlin's new Paris
Der Tagesspiegel also observes a significant change in relations:
“Just a year ago there was a debate within the CDU-CSU about whether it was even acceptable to talk to the post-fascist Meloni. Now the Chancellor has travelled to Rome with ten ministers in tow. ... The fact that German-Italian relations are better than they've been for years is also a result of the threatening gestures of US President Donald Trump. Merz has to look for new allies, and seems to have found them in southern Europe. ... For some in the German government, Rome is Berlin's new Paris. In fact, the Chancellor believes that the prime minister is more reliable in foreign policy than French President Emmanuel Macron.”
The mistrust is dissipating
La Stampa sees signs of a rapprochement:
“After years of mistrust, misunderstandings and handshakes that were more formal than sincere, relations between Italy and Germany seem to be back on track. The meeting between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as the joint signing of several agreements, indicate a long-term rapprochement that will hopefully have a positive impact on the entire European Union. ... The impression this time is that Germany is viewing Giorgia Meloni's Italy differently, first and foremost because it has a stable government. ... And what's more – from the German point of view – it's well positioned vis-à-vis the United States, currently the trickiest player on the international stage.”