Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has dismissed concerns regarding investments in Italy by Elon Musk’s companies, asserting her commitment to prioritising the nation’s interests in such matters.
“I work to have major investments in Italy and evaluate the usefulness of each investment through the prism of our national interest,” Meloni stated in an interview with Corriere della Sera when questioned about potential national security risks.
Meloni’s relationship with Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, has attracted significant attention within Italy. In September, Musk presented her with an award in New York, underscoring their rapport.
Musk has demonstrated a keen interest in Italy’s political and business sectors, as reported by Bloomberg. He has voiced concerns about Italy’s declining birthrate and criticised Telecom Italia SpA for allegedly obstructing the rollout of Starlink Inc.’s high-speed internet service.
Discussions between Meloni and Musk have also included potential collaborations in areas such as space exploration and artificial intelligence. These talks have been facilitated by Italy’s updated regulatory framework, which is now more accommodating to foreign space enterprises.
During the New York award ceremony, Musk praised Meloni, describing her as “authentic, honest, truthful — and that can’t always be said about politicians.” Meloni reciprocated the admiration in her Corriere interview, calling Musk “like a genius” and defending him against what she described as unfair vilification for his political positions.
While Meloni has maintained a positive view of Musk, some other European leaders have expressed criticism. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his deputy, Robert Habeck, used their New Year addresses to criticise Musk, citing his support for a far-right party during a February snap election.
Musk’s influence extends beyond Europe, as he is expected to play a significant advisory role in the incoming United States administration. Previously, he served as part of President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team.
