A face-to-face meeting between Giorgia Meloni and Fabio Pinelli, vice president of the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSM), has sparked controversy and contrasting reactions among Italian political forces. Defined by some as an “inappropriate” meeting and a “serious interference”, this conversation comes at a time of strong tension between the executive and the self-governing body of the judiciary, chaired by the head of state. The meeting, scheduled for about three weeks according to sources at Palazzo Chigi, took place without prior detailed information to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Sources close to the Colle confirmed that the President was notified of the appointment only at the last moment.
According to critics, Meloni would have chosen to participate in a meeting that undermines the independence of the judiciary, pursuing a line of confrontation with the CSM.
Criticism has come from across the opposition. Debora Serracchiani, head of justice for the Partito Democratico (PD), has stated that Meloni is pursuing a strategy of conflict with the judiciary. Andrea Orlando, former Minister of Justice, has raised doubts about the custom of such summonses, underlining the gravity of the situation. Filiberto Zaratti of Avs warned that the premier risks generating a deep crisis in the Italian institutional system. Meanwhile, members of the majority defended the meeting. Enrico Costa of Forza Italia said that there is nothing scandalous in meeting government officials publicly.
Giorgio Mulè, vice president of the Chamber, downplayed the issue by calling the meeting part of the “loyal collaboration between state powers.” Paolo Trancassini of Fratelli d’Italia spoke of a “normal dialogue,” while some veterans of Parliament stressed that such meetings are not rare but often take place informally. However, criticisms of Pinelli focus on the risk that he may have acted beyond his presidential delegations. This occurs in a context in which the CSM has sided with magistrates criticized by the center-right for their pronouncements on the rejection of migrants. In conclusion, the meeting between Meloni and Pinelli raises questions about the future of relations between politics and justice in Italy. While the debate continues to heat up, it remains to be seen how this dynamic will affect the governance and independence of the judiciary in the long term.
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