Meloni forced to skip Montenegro summit as opposition attacks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni missed a Montenegro summit due to delays at a Carabinieri ceremony, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties over Italy's European standing.
According to Il Giornale, government sources announced around 2:00 PM local time that Meloni would not attend the summit, citing delays caused by the extended 212th Anniversary Celebration of the Carabinieri police force in Reggio Calabria. The announcement came just one hour before the Prime Minister was scheduled to arrive in Tivat.
Meloni expressed regret over the cancellation, but the incident immediately triggered sharp attacks from opposition lawmakers. Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte mocked the situation, sarcastically asking whether transport minister Salvini had been piloting the plane, and questioning how Italy could claim renewed centrality in Europe under such circumstances.
Angelo Bonelli from the Green-Left Alliance drew a cinematic comparison, invoking the film “Home Alone” to suggest that while European leaders discussed critical matters including Western Balkans enlargement, continental stability, and Europe’s role in the Ukraine war, the Italian Prime Minister was delayed at what press reports described as a stamp presentation ceremony.
Democratic Party representative Filippo Sensi criticized what he characterized as Italy’s policy of “having judo,” calling the situation terrible and leaving Italy outside key discussions. Riccardo Magi of More Europe accused Meloni of choosing the Aventine Hill—a reference to political boycott—and deserting summits while making what he termed grotesque excuses. Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva, curtly noted that Italy was the only country absent, adding that Meloni simply ran late.
Renzi had already targeted the Prime Minister the previous day over her exclusion from a Ukraine meeting convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, noting she was not even invited.
Diplomatic Isolation Concerns
Beyond the official explanation and political sparring, Il Giornale reports that the decision not to travel to Montenegro may have been influenced, at least partially, by the diplomatic activity among France, the United Kingdom, and Germany on the Ukraine dossier, which has left Italy in the role of mere observer.
This pattern of exclusion could repeat itself as soon as this weekend, if the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany meet again with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—once more without Italian participation—to discuss a pathway that would involve Russia in negotiations to end the war.
With information from Il Giornale
