This is a great victory for Western countries. It’s the biggest opportunity we have to challenge and change the radical socialist agenda dominating globally. President Trump’s inaugural speech reflected his strong will to follow through on the promises he made during his campaign. Compared to his 2017 inaugural address, which was more focused on negative issues, this speech felt far more optimistic. He spoke about ushering in a golden era, which aligns with our vision for the future.
Regarding gender issues, Trump’s executive order to defend women’s rights from what’s being called “gender extremism” is revolutionary. It represents a conservative pushback against a worldwide socialist agenda. This aligns with efforts we’ve been pursuing in Italy since 2018, focusing on similar issues. It’s inspiring to see such a bold move from the U.S. administration.
How do you think Trump’s conservative platform will influence U.S.–EU relations, especially given the left-liberal establishment in Brussels? Do you foresee a shift in dynamics, particularly in light of recent comments by Ursula von der Leyen?
The left-liberal establishment in Brussels will undoubtedly face challenges with Trump’s return to power. In Europe, we already see patriotic leaders like Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and factions within Germany and the European People’s Party pushing back against the socialist agenda. These groups are aligned with Trump’s vision and will likely find it easier to work with the U.S. administration toward common goals.
However, Von der Leyen and other EU leaders aligned with the left will have a tougher time advancing their agenda. Von der Leyen, in particular, may have to slow her pace. Her recent comments about seeking alliances with China and India hint at a possible recalibration of EU strategy, but it’s too early to predict the full impact. While I disagree with China’s communist regime, I believe we must engage with the Chinese market, which is enormous. At the same time, we should strengthen ties with India, which is becoming increasingly significant on the global stage.
In 2025, we’ve seen a surge in national conservative movements across Europe, including Matteo Salvini’s recent successes in Italy. Are you optimistic about the momentum of this conservative wave?
Absolutely. Trump’s victory will undoubtedly energize the conservative movement across Europe. In Italy, Salvini’s leadership and his acquittal in the trial concerning immigration policies have reinvigorated our efforts. While we’re making progress, the left’s dominance in media, academia, and culture remains a challenge. Changing the global mainstream narrative will take time, but with leaders like Trump and influential figures like Elon Musk, we have a real opportunity to shift the tide.
You’ve advocated for the creation of a single European Republican Party to unite conservatives across the continent. Is that vision realistic?
It’s a challenging goal, and it won’t happen overnight. However, we need to work together toward this vision. Uniting under a single banner focused on shared values—family, Christianity, less bureaucracy, and lower taxes—would strengthen the conservative movement in Europe. Collaboration is key.
As an active member of the Italian Parliament, you’ve worked closely with the Italian diaspora. How would you assess its growth and your efforts to support it?
The Italian diaspora has grown significantly, from 3 million in 2006 to nearly 7 million today. While part of this growth comes from Italian families abroad, much of it reflects young Italians leaving the country in search of better job opportunities. This is a concerning trend, as it highlights economic challenges at home. We need to create an environment that attracts talent back to Italy while also bringing in foreign professionals to drive innovation and growth. Unfortunately, we’re currently better at attracting low-skilled workers from Africa, which places a strain on social systems, rather than skilled professionals.
Finally, what’s your message to Europeans as we approach 2025 and this new conservative wave?
We stand on the brink of a golden era, supported by our allies in the United States. Let’s work together across Europe to seize this opportunity and build a future grounded in our shared conservative values.
