Italy and Spain Clash in EU: Diplomatic Tensions Flare Over Economic Influence

European Union - Ekhbary News Agency

Italy and Spain Clash in EU: Diplomatic Tensions Flare Over Economic Influence

What appears to be a minor incident has significant political repercussions, as Italy excluded Spain from an informal meeting aimed at discussing the relaunch of the European Union's economy. This gathering might have gone largely unnoticed had the Spanish government not made its protest public through the media, revealing a palpable strain between the two governments.

The situation unfolds against a complex geopolitical backdrop within the EU. With France facing uncertainty leading up to its 2027 presidential elections, Italy is strategically aiming to solidify a preferential relationship with Germany, forming a Berlin-Rome axis that has been discussed for weeks. The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, fears the formation of a conservative bloc in Europe that could curtail its room for manoeuvre internationally, especially amidst its domestic challenges.

Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sánchez, while often seen as political adversaries, share a common trait: both leaders leverage foreign policy to bolster their domestic standing and clearly enjoy engaging in international politics. Meloni aspires to be a key mediator between the EU and the United States, and is now pursuing a closer relationship with Germany to secure a central and influential position on the European stage. This ambition, envisioning Rome-Washington and Rome-Berlin axes, also serves her domestic agenda by aiming to consolidate her political base and prevent the resurgence of a strong centre-left opposition. Despite her international dynamism, Meloni's path to a decisive victory in the upcoming legislative elections in 2027 is not guaranteed, as the right-wing bloc could potentially lose its Senate majority, with southern regions being a particular vulnerability. Discussions are already underway in Italy about electoral law reform, a recurring theme given the country's history of frequent changes to its electoral system.

Meloni often plays a role that appeals to traditional European conservatives, projecting an image of the far-right exercising restraint. She aligns herself with figures like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, expresses solidarity with Spain's Santiago Abascal, and maintains regular contact with Donald Trump. Her upcoming book-interview, with a prologue by JD Vance and praise from Trump on the cover, further underscores her focus on cultivating a privileged relationship with the White House, while maintaining a cautious approach towards the Vatican. Her ability to shift between these personas—from a hard-right leader to a conservative Christian democrat—highlights her political dexterity.

On the other side of the political ring is Pedro Sánchez, a leading figure in the European social democratic current. Sánchez garners international media praise for Spain's economic growth, a bright spot contrasting with his mounting domestic political difficulties. Polls and recent partial elections suggest that Sánchez is not guaranteed re-election, and indeed might be facing defeat in the next general elections.

The Spanish Prime Minister also views foreign policy as a crucial lifeline. He is remembered for standing up to Donald Trump and is notably the only European leader to have publicly rejected the push for 5% of GDP military spending, a stance Meloni also holds privately but avoids stating publicly to avoid antagonizing Trump. Sánchez has also championed the regularization of half a million undocumented immigrants while simultaneously funding border security measures in Mauritania, which have significantly reduced the flow of migrants to the Canary Islands. This contrasts sharply with Meloni's tough rhetoric on immigration, which appeals to her base, even as her government authorizes work permits for hundreds of thousands of foreigners to address labor shortages in Italian industry.

Sánchez aims to position himself as a prominent European alternative to 'Trumpism,' planning to host a progressive international summit in Barcelona. Concurrently, he seeks to maintain strong relations with Germany and France. However, Meloni's assertion that the axis with Berlin is hers, demonstrated by this diplomatic snub, complicates Spain's strategic positioning.

The incident itself involved an informal EU summit convened by European Council President António Costa in Belgium to discuss economic recovery. The day before this summit, Italy organized a separate informal preparatory meeting for countries interested in deregulating the European economy and revising the European Green Deal. Germany was invited and requested France's inclusion to avoid snubbing Emmanuel Macron. Several other countries joined, bringing the total to 19 participants. Notably absent from this preparatory gathering were Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

A preparatory meeting involving 19 out of the 27 EU member states effectively functions as a parallel summit. The exclusion of Spain from such a significant gathering was particularly keenly felt. The Spanish government officially voiced its displeasure, and António Costa reportedly expressed his annoyance. Italian diplomacy, however, maintains that the intention was not to explicitly marginalize Spain, according to sources consulted by La Vanguardia correspondents. The primary goal was to secure Germany's participation, and the guest list expanded organically. Some reports suggest Spain was invited but declined due to disagreements over the meeting's format.

Despite the absence of major bilateral disputes and the strong social ties between their populations, the Spanish and Italian governments often find themselves at odds. This peculiar tension stems from a competition for influence within the EU's hierarchy. Germany holds the top position, followed by France, with Italy considering the third spot its own and resenting any perceived encroachment by Spain. Italy's historically strained relationship with France since its unification in 1868 makes its alignment with Germany particularly crucial, given the strong interdependence of their industries.

The past thirty years have seen notable moments of friction between the two governments. In 1996, Romano Prodi proposed to José María Aznar that Italy and Spain delay their entry into the Eurozone to better prepare. Aznar refused and leaked the Italian request to the Financial Times. The eras of Silvio Berlusconi and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero seemed worlds apart, while Matteo Renzi...

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