Italian PM Says Economy Takes Priority Over Defense Spending
Speaking at a press conference following a Cabinet meeting, Meloni acknowledged the political sensitivity of the issue while standing firm on the principle.
"I haven't changed my mind … on the issue of defense spending," she said. "I take responsibility for it because I know it's not a very popular issue."
The prime minister doubled down on the necessity of military investment, asserting that "responsible people should also do what's right, not just what's immediately popular," and reaffirming that defense spending remains "an absolute priority" for her government.
However, Meloni made clear that prevailing economic conditions are forcing a recalibration of immediate government focus, drawing a stark line between long-term strategic commitments and present-day fiscal realities.
"Today I must prioritize what's happening on the economic level, because if I no longer have a nation, there's no need for me to defend it," she said.
Rather than abandoning defense targets outright, the prime minister framed the challenge as one of balancing competing obligations against limited resources, tempering expectations without fully retreating from earlier pledges.
"Maybe we won't do everything we could have done or should have done, let's try to make ends meet," she added.
The remarks come as NATO allies face mounting pressure from Washington to meet or exceed the alliance's defense spending benchmarks — a directive that has placed several European governments, including Rome, in a difficult position as they navigate sluggish economic growth and rising public spending demands.
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