(Finance) – “Following the observations of Silvio Berlusconi on theUkraine, we have decided to cancel our study days in Naples. Support for Ukraine is not optional”. This is the message launched via Twitter by the group leader of the European Populars, Manfred Weber. “Antonio Tajani and Forza Italia have our support and we continue the collaboration with the government Italian on EU issues” added Weber. The EPP leader’s decision came following Silvio Berlusconi’s words about the president Zelenskypronounced Sunday evening outside the polling station: “if I had been Prime Minister, I would not have gone to Ukraine to meet him”.
The meeting of the Popolari in Naples, the Study days, was set for June. The foreign minister and deputy prime minister replied to the tweet from the leader of the European People’s Party Anthony Tajani: “Berlusconi is Forza Italia. Forza Italia is Berlusconi. I do not agree with the decision to postpone the Naples meeting. Also because Berlusconi and FI have always voted like the EPP on Ukraine, as evidenced by the documents”.
“Within Forza Italia there is only one line and we reject – as we have always done – any clumsy attempt to divide us. We hope, first of all as Italians, the clarification of the misunderstanding and a repentance by Manfred Weber, to whom we ask not to intervene anymore. The theme is not only the cancellation of study days, doing a wrong not only to a party but to Italy, but also the desire to enter the internal life of a party, imposing or excluding its leaders. This is unacceptable. The study days are an excuse”, replied the parliamentary group leaders of FI of the Senate and the Chamber, instead, Lycia Ronzulli And Alexander Cattaneo.
“Manfred Weber’s words are surprising and we reject them with energy and determination” continue the two Azzurri exponents. And they add: “Force Italy has never left any room for ambiguity on the Ukrainian crisis and President Silvio Berlusconi has clarified on several occasions, and again a few days ago precisely following a statement by the EPP, that he has never intended to renege on his commitment to support the ‘Ukraine, thus not deviating from the party line in any way.”
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