Giorgia Meloni is facing challenges from her main allies in the ruling coalition due to their differing stances on the Ukraine conflict and the European Union's reaction to it, which has become more pronounced recently.

Antonio Tajani from Forza Italia (European People’s Party), along with Matteo Salvini from The League (Patriots for Europe), act as deputies under Meloni. Tajani serves as the foreign minister, whereas Salvini holds the position of transport minister.

However, they have frequently clashed over significant foreign policy matters: providing military support to Ukraine, the European Union’s initiative for increased armaments, and interactions with the U.S. administration led by President Donald Trump.

"Tajani is facing issues due to his connections with the US; he ought to allow us to assist him," stated Claudio Durignon, the League’s deputy secretary. told The newspaper La Repubblica on Sunday.

Following a 15-minute telephone conversation between League head Salvini and US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, which was described as being "marked by significant accord" according to the League’s statement, this development took place.

Tajani hit back, saying That "foreign policy is conducted by the prime minister and foreign minister," characterizing the call as a "personal initiative" by Salvini.

"Populist parties alter their stance daily. Those who often yell tend to have minimal influence and power,” he remarked, aiming his comment directly at Durigon.

The Italian press According to reports, Tajani discussed the matter with Meloni, voicing his discontent over The League's criticisms. He also indicated that these conflicts might result in a potential governmental crisis.

The Italian government's stances do not blend well.

Forza Italia consistently advocates for a strong European position, strongly backing military assistance to Ukraine and commending the European Commission’s initiative for rearming Europe. rebranded As part of the Readiness 2030 initiative, they also support the idea of establishing an EU military force in the future.

"We support peace, but it needs to be equitable... Europe must definitely be present at the table because European nations have enforced sanctions against Russia," Tajani stated to reporters regarding Donald Trump's peace proposal following the concluding EPP meeting in Brussels.

In contrast, The League has consistently stood as one of the most vocal opponents of the EU’s approach to supporting Ukraine. It has also commended Trump for his attempts to facilitate a peace agreement with Russia, irrespective of the potential compromises Kiev might be required to accept.

This matches his strong critique of European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. "If she had her way, we would already be at war," said Salvini, adding, "She should join the front line herself." said prior to the previous EU summit.

Ursula von der Leyen and her defense strategy have faced criticism as well. "Rearming Europe is not how peace can be achieved," said Salvini. declared during a conference.

Italy's administration brings together a pro-EU European People's Party affiliate with a Eurosceptic member of the Patriots for Europe alliance, a partnership that hasn’t succeeded in Germany, Poland, Hungary, and most recently in Austria.

"It’s evident that the EPP and the Patriots hold distinct views since we support European integration. Nonetheless, this doesn’t stop our parties from identifying common ground at the national level," noted prominent Forza Italia MEP Salvatore De Meo to Euronews.

He thinks that Salvini’s conversation with Vance won’t lead to long-term harm, yet he emphasized that foreign policy ought to be exclusively managed by Tajani and Meloni.

"I am hopeful that the Italian government will gradually adopt our stance: establishing a genuine defense framework within the EU by moving beyond nationalism," he stated.

Differences in policy regarding European Union matters are testing the resilience of Italy’s governing alliance. So far, Meloni has skillfully managed the conflicting views of her smaller coalition allies. She maintains a steadfastly supportive stance towards Ukraine but has ruled out sending Italian forces into combat as part of any security assurances should a peace agreement be reached.

She has also stopped short In support of French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative for increased European Union strategic independence, the emphasis was placed on the importance of Europe keeping a robust transatlantic partnership intact.

Her political tightrope walk probably mirrors the unclear transformation of her party, the Brothers of Italy, which has shifted from a radical, post-fascist platform calling for Italy’s departure from the European Union to a more conservative outlook generally supporting EU membership.

In the upcoming months, these European-oriented credentials might face scrutiny, potentially steering Meloni more definitively towards alignment with one faction within her contentious coalition allies.