As Meloni embraces Africa, Europe holds its breath – POLITICO

As Meloni embraces Africa, Europe holds its breath – POLITICO

Heavy lifting ahead For her plan to work and to attract the necessary firepower, expertise and resources, Meloni needs buy-in from the EU. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, who could find herself in need of Meloni’s support after the June EU election to secure a second term, has confirmed she will attend the … Read more

Make Mario Draghi European Council chief, Renzi says – POLITICO

Make Mario Draghi European Council chief, Renzi says – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. ROME — Matteo Renzi has a dream: An Italian centrist will take over one of the EU’s most powerful jobs as president of the European Council. Following an announcement that the incumbent, Charles Michel, plans to run in the European Parliament elections in June, … Read more

‘Capture of Saint Peter’ scandal deepens around Italy junior culture minister – POLITICO

‘Capture of Saint Peter’ scandal deepens around Italy junior culture minister – POLITICO

Italian police have confiscated an allegedly stolen 17th-century painting that is the center of an investigation focusing on Italy’s junior culture minister Vittorio Sgarbi, deepening the latest scandal for the far-right government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The painting — “The Capture of Saint Peter” by Rutilio di Lorenzo Manetti — disappeared in 2013, sparking … Read more

EU liberal leader rules out right-wing alliance post-EU election – POLITICO

EU liberal leader rules out right-wing alliance post-EU election – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — The head of European Parliament’s liberals ruled out working with nationalists if European elections deliver a right-wing majority in June. “We should take the control of our destiny and of European policy, and not let the far right in the next six months tell us that all is out of control,” Stéphane Séjourné said, … Read more

POLITICO’s 2023 Backhanded Awards – POLITICO

POLITICO’s 2023 Backhanded Awards – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Best performance by a German pretending to be president of Europe. Winner: Ursula von der Leyen Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images Poor Ursula von der Leyen. Try as she might not just to project power, but to wield it, the European Commission president runs … Read more

Naughty or nice? How Santa decides which politicians get Christmas gifts – POLITICO

Naughty or nice? How Santa decides which politicians get Christmas gifts – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Guess who’s back? Yes, it’s that time of year again. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas — but this job gets tougher as the years go by: long hours, no breaks and the pay is terrible (milk and cookies! Who gets paid in food … Read more

UK’s Sunak likens Italy’s Meloni to Margaret Thatcher – POLITICO

UK’s Sunak likens Italy’s Meloni to Margaret Thatcher – POLITICO

ROME — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak likened Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Margaret Thatcher as he called on European leaders to channel the old Conservative British leader’s “radicalism” and challenge decades-old rules around refugees. “Thatcher understood that ideas are only important if they can be implemented,” Sunak said in a speech at the … Read more