Giorgia Meloni threatens Italian withdrawal from the SAFE program

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has threatened to withdraw Italy from the European rearmament program known as SAFE. In a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Meloni stated that this withdrawal would proceed if the Commission does not expand the current fiscal escape clause. Originally activated for defense spending, Meloni argues this fiscal flexibility should now cover energy crisis mitigation measures. She cites geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, and the ongoing impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as factors causing energy price instability. The Prime Minister argued that European security should encompass not only military capabilities but also the economic stability of households and businesses. In response, a European Commission spokesperson declined to comment on specific details of the letter. However, the Commission noted that there are currently 95 billion euros in available European funds for energy investments that remain unused.