INTERVIEW – The complementary relationship with the prime minister (and the sporadic burraco-themed bickering), the centrality in FdI (“But I am not the “other Giorgia””), the harsh controversies of the moment, her future… Panorama meets the “sister of Italy”.
The supposed queen of nominations is busy. In a bright room on Via della Scrofa, the “sister of Italy” reads messages and murmurs dejectedly. The two daughters plan perilous journeys with friends. «We are in the midst of adolescence» says Arianna Meloni. After having completed her parental duties, however, she reveals: “The eldest has started to get involved in politics at her school.”
The dynasty expands.
«Let’s imagine, there’s still a long way to go. But I think it’s a wonderful experience. Today’s kids get lost in the ephemeral. Political commitment helps to delve deeper into things and imagine solutions.”
So, approve.
“Of course, I’m happy.”
You started in 1992.
«These were the times of Tangentopoli and the mafia massacres. Politics was considered ugly and corrupt. I asked my mother: “What is the difference between left and right?”. He replied that the right was spirit and the left was matter. I told her that, at the time, I was decidedly on the right.”
Was she a rebel?
«I was reckless. I threw myself into the fray. My sister was more introverted: rational and calm.”
But now?
«Everything has changed. I’m insecure. I tend to retreat. I prefer to be behind the scenes. Giorgia, on the contrary, fought her fears.”
Are you as symbiotic as they say?
«We are very similar in our ways and jokes. And we generally think the same way. In the genetic map we look like homozygous twins.”
Did a complicated childhood also bring you together?
«Ours was not the Mulino Bianco family. My father disappeared in the Canary Islands. Then, by mistake, Giorgia and I set fire to the house. We ran away in our underwear and tank tops. There were high flames
to the ceiling. We were forced to move to our grandparents, where we lived
in forty square meters. And my mother was always working, writing romance novels.”
What did he say after the fire?
«“This time I won’t do anything to you, otherwise I’ll kill you”. We were grounded for months. Until they bought us two little birds
in a toy shop in Piazza Navona: one purple and the other yellow.”
He still gets emotional when he thinks about it.
«They have been difficult years. And I’m very emotional. I cry even if I watch Fantozzi films. My sister, when she notices that my eyes are teary even at rallies, shakes her head.”
The partnership continues, forty years later.
“We remain complementary.”
Since August 2023 he has led the political secretariat of Fratelli d’Italia. Work
in this room, which belonged to Almirante and Fini.
«Now it would be Giorgia’s. I only use it temporarily. However, I have a great sense of responsibility towards those who occupied it before me.”
Including Fini?
«We grew up with him. He made some mistakes, but we maintain an excellent relationship.”
Before, he ran away from the limelight.
«I chose not to apply because I am very shy. And then I think it was a good message to the militants: those who are involved in politics do not necessarily have to hold a position.”
Do you still rule out the hypothesis?
“Let’s put it this way: I am at the party’s disposal.”
A little vague.
«But what do I know, my son? I’m telling the truth: I would prefer not to run. But let’s see what happens and where I will be most useful.”
Do you like your assignment?
«This is a very challenging season. We have dreamed for years of changing Italy. Now we are doing it, but we must remain humble, focused and above all attentive. It’s the time for flatterers, tricks and wickedness.”
Did she sacrifice herself?
«Often those who govern neglect the territory. Frantic pace and institutional roles can become a trap. I try to overcome that shyness and shake thousands of hands. I’m happy to do it. I consider it fundamental. This is why I strive
to even hold rallies.”
Was it Giorgia who asked for help or did she offer herself?
«These conversations never happened. I worked in the political secretariat of the group in the Lazio region. At the last elections, in 2022, I said: “If it’s okay with you, I would like to work in the party”. It was natural. Then, however, they started to give me this role…”.
The puppeteer who places friends and remains in the shadows?
«It’s a way to hit my sister.
I’m not even a parliamentarian. They invented things from scratch. Like meeting Stefano De Martino or Giuseppina Di Foggia. Never seen before.”
Don’t mind?
«Appointments are not my responsibility».
So?
«Many people think: “Since I can’t get to Giorgia, I’ll talk to Arianna”».
They ask to meet her.
“But I take care of the party.”
So?
«I tell him clearly: “You must not talk to me”. Over time, I got better at it. Now I try to avoid inappropriate encounters. Also because, sooner or later, it always ends
to discuss politics.”
Il Giornale hypothesized: she will be investigated for influence trafficking.
«It was a provocation. Let’s face it: people argue. Maybe he mentions you out of turn. At a certain point, it had become Arianna’s world. It seemed like everyone had been talking to me. Someone might even have asked: “In what capacity, sorry?”».
Has she become more aware?
«I am kind and sociable. If they ask for a date, I’m sorry to say no. But I try not to talk about what isn’t my business. I explain that I’m not the right person.”
The latest controversy is the visit to via della Scrofa by Agostino Ghiglia, member of the Privacy Guarantor, before the fine to Report.
«It passed to the foundation. We chatted for two minutes. Nothing special.”
She responded annoyed to a skeptical reporter.
«Why would I be forced to talk to him? I don’t have a public role.
And the citizens don’t pay me, unlike Report, who received a fair sanction: they broadcast an intimate phone call between Sangiuliano and his wife, at a time when she was really feeling the pinch. What do they do instead?
They take it out on Ghiglia.
But his vote was irrelevant. And that college was appointed by a centre-left government.”
Do you brood or sleep hard in the evening?
«I think about it and think about it. I fall asleep very late and in the morning I’m exhausted. However, I got used to it too. And I avoid reading some newspapers.”
Which?
«The Fact and Tomorrow. I don’t consider them useful to the cause.”
Doesn’t he even watch hostile broadcasts?
«Wasted energy. They can be used to do something else.”
Do you feel persecuted?
«There is exaggerated resentment. Some biased press and TV didn’t expect Giorgia Meloni, a free, right-wing woman, to become prime minister. They don’t accept that she managed to restart the economy and restore international dignity to the country.”
Others inconsolable?
«That intelligentsia accustomed to hustlers, prebends and divisions. The Italy of weak governments and immutable things.”
The usual strong powers?
«Those who aimed to maintain the status quo. They had to deal with a capable person. And now they’re delirious. His nervous system collapsed. We value merit
and we have released new energies. Giorgia doesn’t answer to anyone.
It’s not part of that world. He comes
by the people. While many no longer know what it means to be in the middle
to the people.”
The left drawing room?
«They’re the ones who go to Gruber
and they don’t go into a supermarket
for years.”
Are you the ones representing the people today?
«There is no doubt. And they are in the ball.”
May God save Elly Schelin, they say in her party.
«Then also Bonelli, Fratoianni, Conte… May God preserve them all for us, if we really have to say so. They were used to governing even if they lost elections. And now they are no longer capable of coming up with an idea.”
Does Landini also hope to be leader of the left?
“I think so. He seems too active to me. And he doesn’t deal with the union. He too, just tries to demonize.”
Is Giorgia happy to run again?
“Let’s not exaggerate.”
No?
“It’s a very demanding life.”
Even for Arianna?
“We’re definitely not giving up now.”
Matteo Renzi assures: Meloni wants to become president of the Republic.
«We don’t have any plans. They are asking us to govern Italy and we are focused on this. When they say we are no longer good, we will withdraw in good order.”
The opposition calls for resignation if it loses the referendum
on justice.
“It’s just one point in the program.”
Who do you respect on the left?
«Paola Concia».
Anyone else?
«Minniti is also a person of value».
He participated in the last edition of Atreju.
«Different ideas are compared in our square».
Will you invite Schlein?
«In 2024 it didn’t come. This year we still have to send out the invitations.”
Doesn’t a leaf move that Arianna doesn’t want?
“It really seems like everything depends on me.”
Instead?
«We continue to live the same life, with our feet firmly planted on the ground. As our mother taught us.”
The last messages sent to your sister?
«The video of the actor who played Chicco in Ragazzi della 3ª C. He asked: “Elly Schlein, are you there or what are you doing?”».
After?
«A piece of the animated film I Take Flight. One little bird says to another: “You’re too angry. You need a hug.”
And her?
“He sent me a heart.”
The latest argument?
«During a holiday in Puglia. She’s a nerd even in burraco. He didn’t want me to play: he said I wasn’t good enough, he made fun of me. Then I answered her badly. We argued, but for a moment.”
Is it your passion?
«If he has a free moment, he plays burraco. Like many of our friends. Among which there is also Lollo.”
Does he always call Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, that?
«Yes, my ex-mother-in-law wasn’t very happy».
Since you broke up, she has had great visibility.
«We grew up together. I separated because the love was over. Maybe we should have done it sooner. But it has nothing to do with my role in the party.”
It is increasingly exposed.
«It was like going from the parish championship to the Champions League. Now they write: “Arianna Meloni is expected”. And every time I think: “Who?”».
The other Giorgia?
«Instead, I am the other Meloni: in terms of history, behavior, passions. My greatest fear remains: they are waiting for Giorgia and Arianna arrives. Maybe they feel bad about it. I spend my life flagellating myself. My daughter calls me drama queen.”
That is to say?
«Queen of melodrama. He says I cause tragedies for nothing.”
Is he right?
“I’m afraid so.”
