Italy’s Meloni defends Musk’s political feedback amid Starlink talks

By Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Elon Musk’s rising involvement in politics on Thursday and stated she had by no means mentioned with him a possible deal to provide safe communications to Italy.

The precise-wing chief dismissed considerations about political interference because the U.S. tech billionaire, an ally of President-elect Donald Trump, steps up his feedback on European politics on his social media web site X.

Meloni has relationship with Musk and people ties are within the highlight in Italy as the federal government weighs up a attainable contract counting on Starlink, a part of Musk’s SpaceX enterprise.

“I consider overseas investments by means of a single lens, which is the lens of nationwide curiosity, not friendships or political concepts of those that could make investments,” Meloni stated.

“I additionally take this chance to inform you that I’ve by no means personally spoken with Elon Musk about these issues,” Meloni added throughout a 2-1/2 hour press convention when the topic of Musk was repeatedly raised.

SpaceX is discussing a five-year deal value a complete 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion), a supply with data of the matter stated. The venture has been sharply criticised by opposition events questioning whether or not the dealing with of such communications needs to be entrusted to a Musk firm.

“We’re merely within the investigative part, which is why I do not perceive all of the accusations which were made. Is the issue with SpaceX that it is a personal firm, or is it Elon Musk’s political concepts?” Meloni added.

NO DANGER TO DEMOCRACY

Italy is evaluating the usage of Musk’s space-based telecommunications system to supply safe communications between the federal government, Italian diplomats and defence officers working in delicate areas throughout the Mediterranean.

Meloni stated Italy confronted a dilemma over how you can defend its delicate communications as there are at present no Italian or EU-backed different techniques to Starlink.

Full rollout of the EU’s IRIS2 (Iris squared) satellite tv for pc constellation will not be anticipated earlier than the tip of 2030.

“Both we speak to a personal firm or we don’t defend this information. What’s the preferable situation between two sub-optimal situations?” stated Meloni.

Musk has been setting the political agenda with assaults on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his endorsement of the far-right AfD get together forward of an election in Germany subsequent month.

However Meloni defended Musk’s proper to talk his thoughts.

“I don’t see this hazard to democracy. Elon Musk is a really well-known and rich one that expresses his concepts,” Meloni stated.