Biography Flash: Meloni Balances Gaza Unrest and EU Deficit Target Win
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Biography Flash: Meloni Balances Gaza Unrest and EU Deficit Target Win
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni finds herself navigating multiple fronts this week as her government celebrates a significant fiscal milestone while facing intense domestic pressure over her Gaza policy stance. According to Euronews, Meloni's administration announced that Italy now expects to meet the EU's 3% deficit target this year, ahead of schedule, thanks to stronger than anticipated tax revenues. This represents a remarkable improvement from earlier projections of 3.3% and positions Italy to exit the EU's excessive deficit procedure a full year early.
The timing couldn't be more politically advantageous for Meloni, especially as credit rating agency Fitch recently upgraded Italy's long-term debt rating, reflecting increased confidence in her government's fiscal trajectory. The prime minister's economic team projects modest growth of 0.5% for 2025, while planning middle-income tax cuts that formed a cornerstone of her electoral promises.
However, Meloni's week has been dominated by massive domestic unrest over her Gaza policy. The Independent reports that over two million Italians participated in a general strike on Friday, with 300,000 marching through Rome alone. The strike, organized by Italy's largest union CGIL following Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, achieved a 60% participation rate and effectively shut down transportation and schools nationwide.
Meloni's response has been characteristically defiant. She dismissed the strike as politically motivated, telling reporters that revolutions and long weekends don't go well together, suggesting workers were using Gaza as an excuse for an extended break. Her criticism has only intensified the protests, which entered their fourth day according to The Jerusalem Post, with demonstrators gathering outside Rome's Colosseum.
The situation escalated when protesters approached the Italian national soccer team's training center in Florence, demanding cancellation of Italy's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel on October 14. While most demonstrations remained peaceful, Courthouse News reports isolated clashes occurred in Milan, Turin, Bologna and Naples.
Adding another layer to Meloni's busy week, President Zelensky met with her at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, where they discussed Russia's airspace violations and potential collaboration on drone defense technology.
As Meloni approaches her third anniversary in office on October 22, she's clearly positioning herself as a steadfast leader willing to weather domestic pressure while delivering on economic promises.
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