“I have certainly found interesting the path I’ve taken over the last three years in these POLITICO awards,” Meloni said in reference to the annual list.
In December 2022, two months after becoming prime minister, Meloni was nominated as the No. 1 Disrupter, and one year later she was nominated No. 1 Doer. Last month, Meloni was crowned, “The most powerful person in Europe.”
“So, mine is definitely a positive path in the eyes of POLITICO,” Meloni said. “But as Spiderman would say, with great power comes great responsibility.”
Since taking power in 2022, Meloni has reshaped her image from a divisive, right-wing domestic firebrand to influential European leader, aligning with the United States and European mainstream on issues such as Ukraine, and taking a leading role in Europe on issues such as migration, while implementing a hard-right agenda at home.
“Look, I don’t know if you guys are right. And I don’t think that it’s useful to build competitions between European leaders,” Meloni said, arguing that Europe desperately needs its leaders to take strong positions and work together in a clear and pragmatic approach to politics.
“I can’t judge your reading of what would be the most influential leaders,” Meloni continued. “But surely if I have an influence, I will try to spend it in a proactive, positive and concrete way for the good of a continent that otherwise risks in a future not far from this one to slide into irrelevance.”
