Italian PM Meloni warns EU's green push may destroy industrial base

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a more cautious approach to the ecological transition that safeguards social and economic stability on Saturday, warning that strict green regulations might destroy Europe’s industrial basis.

Meloni warned that the European Union’s drive for electrification, especially in the automobile industry, might jeopardise the continent’s industrial power after meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Meloni stated to reporters in Rome, “I have often said that there is nothing green in a desert.”

She also added, “Before anything else, we must fight the desertification of European industry.”

According to her, a key component of Europe’s green plan has to include alternative fuels like hydrogen and biofuels.

More from World

Russia fumes at France's proposal to share its nukes for European nuclear shield Germany arrests three Ukrainians accused of plotting explosions for Russia

The EU’s previous regulatory approach, according to Meloni, was overly rigid and had “crushed” industries like the automobile sector.  She also referred to Europe’s reliance on non-European supply chains for electric vehicles as a strategic weakness, voicing concerns about this.

“I continue to believe it is counterproductive to focus solely on the electric transition, where the supply chains are not controlled by Europe, but by other actors,” she stated.

Meloni called on the European Commission to refine important elements of the so-called Green Deal further, such as updated emissions calculations that take into consideration a vehicle’s whole manufacturing cycle rather than simply its exhaust emissions.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

The European Parliament earlier this month voted to soften rules for European automakers, meaning they will not have to comply with EU CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans that could have led to fines of up to 15 billion euros ($17 billion).

Following heavy lobbying, the European Commission proposed allowing automakers to meet the targets based on their average emissions over the period 2025-2027, rather than just this year.

Italy and Germany — Europe’s two largest manufacturing economies — should lead efforts to restore competitiveness, Meloni said, adding that the automotive sector was one area where bilateral cooperation could make a decisive impact.