Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed support for investments by companies owned by Elon Musk, stating they do not pose a threat to Italy. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Meloni emphasized her commitment to attracting significant investments to Italy, evaluating each through the lens of national interest.
Meloni’s relationship with Musk has garnered attention, notably when the billionaire presented her with an award in New York. Their discussions have explored investment opportunities in sectors such as space and artificial intelligence. Italy’s recent regulatory framework now permits foreign space companies to operate within the country, facilitating such collaborations.
Musk has been vocal about Italy’s demographic challenges, advocating for increased birth rates, and has criticized entities like Telecom Italia SpA for allegedly hindering the expansion of his company, Starlink Inc.
While Meloni praises Musk as a “genius” who has been mischaracterized due to his political affiliations, other European leaders have been more critical. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck recently criticized Musk for his support of a far-right party in Germany’s February snap election.
Musk’s influence extends to the United States, where he is expected to assume a top advisory role in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Meloni’s openness to Musk’s investments reflects her broader strategy to attract foreign investment and innovation to Italy, aiming to bolster the nation’s economic growth and technological advancement.
