Daijiworld Media Network - Rome
Rome, Feb 22: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to address the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the US via videolink on Saturday, despite growing calls from the opposition to cancel her appearance following Steve Bannon’s controversial gesture.
Bannon, a former advisor to Donald Trump, appeared to make a Nazi-style salute during his speech at CPAC, sparking outrage. Opposition leaders, including Democratic Party chief Elly Schlein, urged Meloni to disassociate from the event, calling it a “neo-fascist gathering.”
French far-right leader Jordan Bardella had pulled out of CPAC over Bannon’s actions, but Meloni’s office has remained silent on the issue. Giorgio Mule, vice-president of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies and a member of Forza Italia, called Bannon’s gesture “extremely serious” and expected Meloni to distance herself.
Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has been viewed as a potential link between the European Union and a possible future Trump administration. While she has backed Ukraine in its war against Russia, she has avoided commenting on Trump’s recent remarks about Ukraine and the EU.
Her speech at CPAC is scheduled for 1815 GMT, with no official confirmation yet on whether it will go ahead.