Save and preserve Meloni lashes out at the EU

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s speech at the Confindustria, the association of Italian industrialists, in which she sharply criticised the EU, calling it a “bureaucratic giant” that demonstrates short-sightedness in addressing global challenges, has sparked a new wave of debate about the future of the European Union.

According to the Italian prime minister, the Union too often sacrifices competitiveness and strategic growth in favour of ideological and excessively technocratic approaches. In her interpretation, this is reflected in the fact that “Europe has been relentless in its ability to multiply regulations on every aspect of daily life, yet short-sighted when it came to making its voice heard on the global stage.” Against this backdrop, Meloni emphasises that Europe must “do less, but better,” make decisions more quickly, and focus on sensible priorities, noting in particular that EU countries need to strike a balance between defence spending and support for families and businesses, otherwise in the future “there will be nothing left to defend.”

To understand these statements, it is important to consider the broader context in which they were made. In recent years, the European Union has been facing a wide range of crises — from energy and economic challenges to geopolitical ones. Rising energy prices, the consequences of the EU’s sanctions policy against a number of countries, as well as broader geo-economic constraints affecting global trade and financial flows, have increased pressure on member states’ budgets. In this context, many governments are beginning to demand greater flexibility from Brussels. Italy under Meloni has become one of the most prominent voices in this group.

The Italian prime minister’s position does not appear to represent classical Euroscepticism. She does not question Italy’s membership in the European Union and does not call for withdrawal. Rather, her approach can be described as an attempt to “rebuild” the European model from within. Meloni believes that the problem with the EU is not integration itself, but the way it has been implemented: too many rules, slow decision-making, and a lack of strategic focus. In this context, she also insists that “bureaucracy cannot replace politics,” stressing the need to return to more flexible governance.

Against this backdrop, climate mechanisms — including the emissions trading system (ETS) — as well as strict budgetary constraints are increasingly criticised, as several member states argue that they limit the ability to respond effectively to crises. At the same time, Meloni has been promoting a reassessment of EU energy policy, including a return to nuclear power as a way to strengthen energy independence and reduce costs. She also calls for “clearing out the regulatory jungle,” pointing to the excessive complexity of European rules.

This approach fits into a broader European trend, as similar concerns are being voiced by various EU countries, particularly amid economic slowdown and growing global competition with the United States and China.

Looking at the trajectory of developments, the Italian prime minister’s criticism of the European Union reflects a deeper process of rethinking the EU’s role. The Union finds itself at a point where it must simultaneously preserve common rules and standards while avoiding the loss of economic flexibility. In the long term, this tension may not lead to the weakening of the bloc, but rather to its internal restructuring, and in this context Meloni’s remarks should be seen as another signal that serious systemic reforms within the European Union are becoming increasingly necessary.