Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taggiani on Monday distanced himself from his coalition colleague Matteo Salvini after the far-right leader welcomed the results of Russia's election.
Tajani had declared on Sunday that the vote to re-elect President Vladimir Putin would be “neither free nor fair.”
But on Monday, the Transport Minister…
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taggiani on Monday distanced himself from his coalition colleague Matteo Salvini after the far-right leader welcomed the results of Russia's election.
Tajani had declared on Sunday that the vote to re-elect President Vladimir Putin would be “neither free nor fair.”
But on Monday, transport minister Salvini, who like Tajani is also deputy prime minister in Giorgia Meloni's coalition government, quipped: “When the people vote, they are always right.”
“Win or lose, elections are always a good thing,” said the leader of the far-right Alliance party.
Asked about his comments, Tajani, leader of the right-wing party Forza Italia, told reporters in Brussels: “Foreign policy is decided by the foreign minister.”
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
Salvini has previously expressed his admiration for Putin, and was even photographed wearing a T-shirt with a photo of the Russian president printed on it.
However, Meloni, leader of the far-right Italian Brotherhood party, strongly supports Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Salvini made headlines last month when he said it was “up to Russian doctors and judges” to determine the cause of opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
Navalny's team claims the 47-year-old was killed as Western countries blame Russian authorities for his death in a remote Arctic prison.
Gabu/Al/Yad
