The magistrates’ union ANM stated on Monday, the Prime Minister’s comments that the judiciary is behind claims against her sister Arianna Meloni, are “yet another attack on the judiciary, aimed at delegitimising it by suggesting alleged plots.”
“This is a dangerous exercise that weakens the Republican institutions and damages the entire country,” said the union of prosecutors and judges.
The conservative daily Il Giornale reported that Arianna Meloni, who also serves as head of the secretariat for her sister’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, is allegedly the subject of undisclosed investigations, possibly related to her involvement in key appointments.
Premier Meloni has said she finds “very plausible” the editorial published in the Milan newspaper. The article claims media outlets hostile to the government, plus the left-wing, and certain prosecutors are allegedly conspiring against her sister. The editorial’s headline read: “They want to investigate Arianna Meloni.”
“This is a scheme that has been seen repeatedly, particularly against Silvio Berlusconi. A system of power that uses any method and expedient to defeat a political enemy who wins democratic elections,” Meloni told ANSA over the phone late Sunday.
After “searching my life and that of every person close to me, without finding anything,” she said, “the worst form” of politics is resorting to “paltry and desperate moves,” including those directed at her elder sister.
“Dismantling a system of interests”
Meloni further remarked that if there is confirmation of these reports and if “they have moved on to smear campaigns and concocting theories in hopes of some fanciful investigation against people close to me, starting with my sister Arianna, it would be very grave.” However, she added that “it would also be a good sign.” Why? Because it would indicate that “we are dismantling a system of interests that has held Italy hostage for too many years.”
The editorial, written by Il Giornale’s editor Alessandro Sallusti, cited media reports regarding Arianna Meloni’s alleged involvement in key public-sector appointments.
Matteo Renzi: do they see ghosts?
In a blistering response to the FdI and Meloni, Matteo Renzi, Italia Viva leader, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday asking if the Meloni sisters see ghosts.
He also firmly stated that when journalists report a non-governmental person is involved in making government decisions, it is the duty of the opposition to query these claims. A point which no-one who wants a democratic country can argue with. One would have thought.
Renzi’s response
This is just a part of Renzi’s response:
“Do the Meloni sisters see ghosts? On this Sunday in August we have to respond to the attacks of the Brothers of Italy and the conspiracy anxieties of the Premier’s family.”
“Four days ago, ‘Il Fatto Daily’ published an article in which it hypothesises the participation of Arianna Meloni – one of the prime minister’s sisters – in a meeting on Rai appointments that fall to the government, of which Arianna is not a part.
“Our deputies, Boschi, asks the Surveillance Committee if this is true or not. The next day ‘La Repubblica’ publishes an article in which it raises the hypothesis of the appointment of a manager close to Arianna Meloni in the State Railways. Appointments that fall to the government, of which Arianna is not part. One of our senators, Paita, asks Parliament to know if this is true or not. So far everything is fine.
“The parliamentarians of Italia Viva simply do their job: they are the opposition. The opposition presents parliamentary questions, the government answers: this is how democracy works.
“What happens at this point? Brothers of Italy is unleashed. Giorgia Meloni’s party starts insulting Italia Viva. It defines me as ‘provincial chief’ and ‘pack leader’ and accuses parliamentarians of being part of ‘a pack of dogs’.
“This hateful, violent, squad-based language is the majority party’s way of responding to legitimate questions from an opposition party.
“Does this seem normal to you?
“But the worst is yet to come. Today the director of ‘Il Giornale’, Salustí, raises the hypothesis of a conspiracy ‘They want to investigate Arianna Meloni’”.
“In a nutshell: the judiciary, some of the newspapers and Italia Viva would have agreed to organise a plot and investigate Arianna for influence trafficking.
“Can you imagine? Me organising plots together with the judges (me!) so that a notice of guarantee reaches one of the Premier’s sisters! And obviously since this morning those of Fratelli d’Italia have been relaunching the news, starting with the coordinator Donzelli: a clear sign that it is a communication strategy prepared in advance.”
