Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni is set to visit Washington Thursday (July 27) after US President Joe Biden earlier warned about the rise of hard-right populism in Europe and the US.
In an earlier statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the meeting between Biden and Meloni would reaffirm the "strong relationship" between the two nations.
Jean-Pierre added the talk between the two leaders would center on their "common strategic interests," including a shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, developments across North Africa, and closer transatlantic coordination regarding China and its economic pressures.
Initially, the Biden administration was concerned about Meloni's ideology, which was eradicated when her government supported Ukraine and its withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Euronews reported.
She would also meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
The visit comes as Italy is preparing to take up the G7 presidency in 2024.
Giorgia Meloni: Italy's Margaret Thatcher?
Meloni is the first Italian far-right leader to hold premiership in a post-World War II republic after her Brothers of Italy party won the country's 2022 general elections. She is also the country's first female prime minister.
While her party was an offshoot of a party founded by nostalgists for fascism following the downfall of Benito Mussolini, she stressed that she "[does not] hold the cult of fascism."
Since coming to power in September 2022, Meloni faced criticism for her government directing city halls to cease automatically registering both parents in same-sex couples but instead limit recognition of parental rights only to the biological parent.
According to Heritage Foundation's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom director Nile Gardiner, Meloni's political perspective against LGBT+ parenting, same-sex marriage, and skepticism of the European Union made her at odds with the rest of the continent but also puts her on similar ground with former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
"I think Meloni really understands the significance of the culture wars in Europe, and she is the most principled leader in Western Europe on cultural matters and takes a very firm stand in defense of traditional Christian Western civilization," Gardiner told Fox News. "Margaret Thatcher would have supported the stance Meloni took on the defense of Western civilization."
She also turned back on her election promise to stop northern African boats from coming into southern Europe.
In the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Italian government under Meloni became one of the most vocal supporters of Kyiv's sovereignty and has hosted around 170,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. She also championed a stronger NATO resolve in the face of Russia's menacing position.
Related Article: Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Visit of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy
