Meloni and Scholz Deepen Ties, Leaving France Behind

  • Italy’s moves range from aerospace to airlines, telecom
  • Berlin seen playing key role in Rome veto on French takeover

Giorgia Meloni and Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Nov. 22. 

Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are spearheading a series of closer business dealings between their two countries — with France being sidelined.

Meloni’s first visit to Berlin on Wednesday, accompanied by senior government ministers, marked the nations’ highest-level gathering in seven years. Scholz welcomed his guest as “dear Giorgia” as a series of fiscal wins for Rome coincided with a budget debacle in Berlin.