Populist politician Giogia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s first female prime minister on Saturday. On Tuesday Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Joanne Ou (歐江安) said the ministry has passed along a letter from President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) congratulating Meloni on her victory.
Ou says Taiwan looks forward to cooperating closely with Meloni’s government. She says the Foreign Ministry welcomes Meloni’s affirmation of the rules-based international order and Taiwan’s status as a strategic partner. She says Taiwan will work with Italy to oppose authoritarianism.
Meloni has signaled support for Taiwan on numerous occasions. She said in an interview with Taiwanese media before Italy’s election that Taiwan would be an essential concern for her government. That includes deepening cooperation in tourism, health care, and industry. Meloni also says she plans on withdrawing from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and criticizes Beijing’s assertive actions around the globe.
Meloni is the most right-wing politician to lead Italy since World War II. Her party won a plurality of seats in the Italian Chamber of Deputies on an anti-immigrant and pro-traditional family values platform.