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Внешняя политика Апеннин после парламентских выборов — на итальянском фронте без перемен
Interestingly, the centre-right coalition (Italy Forward, the League, the Italian Brotherhood and several smaller parties) - the favourite in the upcoming elections - has placed an item on the foreign policy of the Republic at the top of its election program and has demonstrated the changes that have affected its views. On the one hand, Berlusconi and Salvini, traditionally seen as Russia's allies, are now seeking to shed this connotation and position themselves as pursuers of a Euro-Atlantic course - a measure largely aimed at building confidence with the US and EU. The centre-right emphasises its commitment to the Transatlantic Partnership and points to the need for further European integration, while condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine. On the other hand, the right-wing coalition intends to remain committed to certain foreign policy provisions that set it apart in the Italian party arena. For example, the programme speaks of the need to preserve Christian-Jewish traditions, to actively defend Italian national interests and to strengthen the fight against illegal migration.
However, it should be noted that the centre-right camp is still divided on certain foreign policy issues. An aspect of a possible "foreign policy" split in the centre-right camp remains the ongoing disagreement over the Ukrainian crisis. For example, George Meloni is turning into an advocate of increasing military aid to Ukraine, seeing in this an opportunity to secure support from partners in the Euro-Atlantic community ahead of elections, as well as to strengthen Italy's role within the North Atlantic Alliance in the future. For their part, Berlusconi and Salvini continue to stand their previous positions and oppose sending new weapons to the Armed Forces. At the same time, the president of the League speaks of the need to lift some anti-Russian sanctions, pointing to their harm to Europeans and Italians in order to avoid further accusations of ties with the Russian leadership.
Thus, as we approach 25 September, the "unity" of the centre-right coalition is becoming more and more elusive, as their opponents keep saying in the hope of gaining additional electoral support. However, the integrity of the Berlusconi, Salvini and Meloni camp will face a serious test, not before the parliamentary elections, but after the highly likely formation of their own cabinet, when the parties start discussing the listed foreign policy issues.