by InTrieste
Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, signaled a potential shift in her country’s approach to the European Union, warning that “there is no more time” for Brussels to accelerate reform if it hopes to remain politically and strategically relevant. Her remarks suggested a cautious openness to revisiting the EU’s principle of unanimity, a rule that requires all member states to agree on key decisions, from foreign policy to taxation.
For decades, Italy has championed national sovereignty in Brussels, but Meloni’s comments indicate a new pragmatism: the Union must act faster to meet the challenges of war on its borders, rising global competition, and pressure for coordinated defense and foreign policy. Critics of unanimity say it can paralyze the EU at precisely the moment unity matters most.
Meloni offered no blueprint, emphasizing urgency over ideology. Her signal to Brussels is clear: Rome wants a seat at the table and a voice in shaping reform. Domestically, she framed efficiency not as a concession but as empowerment, a stronger Europe serving Italy’s interests rather than constraining them.
Institutional change remains difficult. Treaty amendments would require broad consensus and, in some countries, referendums. In practice, discussions may focus on “enhanced cooperation” or qualified majority voting in limited areas.
Still, Meloni’s tone marks a shift. In European politics, tone often precedes change.
