By: V4 Agency
The possibility for Italy’s right-wing Lega party to join the European People’s Party (EPP) is not on the agenda, party leader Matteo Salvini said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that he is working with the Poles and Hungarians to create a new group in the European Parliament.
“We are in contact with the Poles and the political forces of other countries, including Hungarians. I met the Hungarian Consul General in Milan on Monday,” said the leader of the right-wing party, which is part of the current coalition government.
The prospect of Lega possibly joining the European People’s Party (EPP) “is not on the agenda”, he added.
“Something new is needed, we are working to create something new, because a certain type of Europe, with an outdated mindset, is not able to respond to emergencies, to the needs of 2021,” he explained.
Lega is a member of the Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament. Italian media floated the possibility that Lega could join the EPP after MEPs of the Hungarian Fidesz party had announced their decision to quit the EPP Group in the European Parliament.
On his 48th birthday, Matteo Salvini gave a live-streamed interview on social media, speaking about himself and current political issues.
Lega’s politician said he did not support another nationwide lockdown mulled by the Draghi government because of the mutant variants, adding that he would favour local restrictions instead. He argued that Italians who have had to endure restrictions for a year now would view a new lockdown as some type of punishment.
“We have to get through March and the goal is for the country to be able to return to normal after Easter,” he said.
He described Italy’s vaccine shortages as a real problem, stressing that the EU had a completely wrong contract policy. “Some people in Brussels should be fired,” he added.
He said Europe was mistaken, so now Italy is looking for vaccines everywhere and is ready to start vaccine production.
He stressed that with the Draghi government taking office, the division between the parties had been reduced to a minimum in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. He recalled, however, that Italy’s pandemic-induced death toll exceeded one hundred thousand.
Finally, Matteo Salvini also pointed out that his birthday coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the Internazionale football team of Milan. He added that it is quite an ordeal for him every year as he is an AC Milan fan.
