Italy’s opposition denounced Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s €1.5bn security deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to Euractiv.
A five-year contract between the Italian government and SpaceX to build a secure telecoms system for public use sparked concern in Italy. Initial reports on Sunday suggested authorities were negotiating with SpaceX, with the project having received approval from Italy’s intelligence services and defence ministry.
SpaceX allegedly plans to provide secure internet via its Starlink system for Italian government operations, communications services for the military in the Mediterranean, and satellite-based direct communications services for emergencies. However, the Italian government denied on Monday signing any agreements with SpaceX.
The administration also said the alleged talks were “part of the normal consultations that state institutions have with companies.” Musk, for his part, did not confirm the reports, but stated that he was ready to “provide Italy with the most secure and advanced connectivity!”
The move united the Italian opposition to condemn the alleged deal and demand clarification from Meloni. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein pressed for clarification, deeming the denial of the contract “completely insufficient.”
Italy is not selling out.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S), Giuseppe Conte, also accused the government of putting national security in the hands of Elon Musk.
Are the “patriots” in the Government putting our national security in the hands of Musk for the modest sum of 1.5 billion public funds? We ask President Meloni and the entire Government for immediate transparency in front of Parliament on the insistent press leaks of these hours.
Another former prime minister, Matteo Renzi, stated that the Italian government “cannot give one and a half billion to a private entity without a tender or any public transparency.”
News of the SpaceX contract came shortly after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s surprise visit to US President-elect Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday.
