Italy PM makes her first foreign trip to EU hub Brussels

Georgia Meloni is making her first foreign visit as Italy’s prime minister on Thursday to the heart of the European Union, a trip welcomed by officials from a bloc wary that her election promises could destablise the economy.Known for her firebrand nationalism, Meloni has toned down her anti-European rhetoric, drawing a cautious sigh of relief from the 27-nation EU. With Russia’s war against Ukraine and the related energy, inflation and economic crises topping the European agenda, Meloni will meet EU leaders in Brussels from 1500 GMT.”Choosing Brussels for her first visit abroad is a good sign and shows the commitment of the new government to keep Italy at core of the European decision making,” one EU official said. Meloni is due to meet EU chairman Charles Michel as well as the heads of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and of the EU executive European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.”Her coming here sends an important message in terms of support for Ukraine,” said another EU official, noting how Meloni has defended Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion last February, and has supported sanctions against Moscow. FISCAL GAPThe bloc remains uneasy, however, about Meloni’s campaign promises of cutting taxes and raising social benefits, fearing that would risk destabilising Italian finances as the continent faces a new recession. “We will be looking for signals that she would not ruin Italian finances,” said a third EU official. All three spoke under the condition of anonymity.