ROME (AP) — Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed on Thursday that her government is currently engaging in discussions with various private companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, regarding the nation’s telecommunications security system. However, she firmly denied having any private discussions about the matter with Musk. “I have never had conversations with Musk about this. It is not my practice to utilize my public position to grant favors to acquaintances,” Meloni stated in response to queries from journalists during her annual press briefing on the potential partnership with Musk’s company concerning Italian telecommunications security.
Emphasizing that she evaluates potential contracts with SpaceX solely through the lens of national interest, Meloni addressed concerns raised by opposition parties in Italy over the reported 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) project spanning five years. The project involves SpaceX providing encryption services for the Italian government and enhancing communication infrastructure for the military and emergency services.
While Meloni dismissed claims of having already solidified a deal with Musk, she highlighted the necessity of exploring private sector solutions due to the absence of viable public alternatives for advanced technologies vital for data protection. Acknowledging the risks associated with entrusting sensitive data to private entities, Meloni stressed the government’s accountability in safeguarding such information.
SpaceX was contacted for comment via email, but had not responded at the time of the press conference. Meloni speculated that the controversy surrounding the potential partnership with Musk may be linked to his political beliefs. She questioned whether objections stemmed from the investors’ political ideologies rather than concerns about private investments.
Meloni defended Musk’s political freedom and downplayed any perceived threat to democracy posed by his influence. She contrasted Musk’s conduct with that of American investor George Soros, suggesting that Soros engages in more concerning forms of political interference.
In addition to its existing operations in Italy, Starlink, Musk’s satellite system, could expand its services to support emergency responses such as disaster relief and security operations. Experts have highlighted the strategic implications of European nations partnering with SpaceX, underscoring the challenges facing Europe’s satellite and telecommunications industry amid SpaceX’s success.
Meloni affirmed that the government remains in the preliminary stages of exploration and no contractual agreements have been finalized. She reiterated the significance of ensuring data protection while navigating the complexities of public-private partnerships in the telecommunications sector.
Overall, Meloni underscored the government’s cautious approach to potential collaborations with SpaceX, emphasizing the need to prioritize national interests and security in any future agreements.
She added, “But when it happened, we talked about philanthropists: is the problem that (Musk) is rich and influential or that he is not left-wing?” she asked. In December, the leader of the right-wing populist Reform party in the U.K., Nigel Farage, said the party was in “open negotiations” with Musk over a donation, although he played down speculation that it could be as much as $100 million. However, Farage later distanced himself from Musk after the billionaire called for the release from prison of a far-right activist who goes by the name of Tommy Robinson.
