In this edition of Europe Rendezvous, we travel to Italy, one of the European Union's founding members, to examine how the country's democratic institutions have come under increasing pressure. It may be the season of la dolce vita, but life has been far from sweet for migrants, women seeking abortions in parts of Italy, and journalists facing growing political pressure on the media. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads a coalition of conservatives and the far right, and as the 2027 elections approach, her government has been accused of seeking greater influence over the judiciary, the media and the electoral system.
In part two, we speak with Antonio Tajani, one of Italy's most experienced politicians and a longtime ally of the late Silvio Berlusconi. Italy's foreign minister and deputy prime minister in Giorgia Meloni's coalition government, Tajani leads the conservative Forza Italia party. We discuss the major geopolitical challenges facing Italy, as well as the strains that have emerged in Meloni's relationship with US President Donald Trump.
