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Italy’s Talks with Musk’s Starlink Stalled Over Geopolitical Tensions

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Negotiations between the Italian government and Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, have stalled, according to Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The potential contract, which could have seen Starlink provide secure communications for Italy’s government and defense officials, has been delayed due to shifting discussions from technical issues to political concerns surrounding Musk’s statements and associations.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government had been exploring a deal with Starlink to guarantee encrypted communications for diplomats and defense officials in high-risk areas. The proposed deal, valued at 1.5 billion euros ($1.62 billion) over five years, would have seen Starlink’s satellite services expand in Italy, where the company has been operating since 2021 with around 7,000 low-orbit satellites in use globally. However, tensions have arisen due to opposition from Italian politicians questioning the appropriateness of granting a national security contract to a foreign businessman with strong ties to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Crosetto emphasized that discussions should return to a technical level once the political tensions subside, stating that the ultimate goal is to determine what is safest and most useful for Italy’s national security. He referred to Musk as a “visionary genius” but acknowledged the complex political context surrounding the deal.

The situation also reflects the broader geopolitical balancing act that Meloni’s government faces as it navigates Italy’s alliance with the United States. Meloni’s coalition partner, the far-right League, has continued to support both Musk and Trump, putting additional pressure on the government.

Meanwhile, Andrea Stroppa, a representative for Musk in Italy, suggested that while Italy and its European partners should consider developing their own satellite infrastructure, Starlink could offer the most viable solution in the short term to meet urgent operational needs.

Italy’s Deputy PM Salvini Faces Jail Over Blocking Migrant Boat

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Italian prosecutors are pushing for a six-year prison sentence for Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini over his decision to prevent a migrant boat from docking in August 2019. At that time, Salvini, who served as interior minister, blocked the Open Arms charity ship carrying 147 migrants from reaching the island of Lampedusa for nearly three weeks before a court intervened.

Salvini faces charges of kidnapping and dereliction of duty, which he denies. He defends his actions, stating his aim was to prevent Italy from becoming a “refugee camp for all of Europe.” He publicly declared himself “guilty of defending Italy and Italians.”

The Open Arms vessel had rescued migrants near the Libyan coast and attempted to dock in Lampedusa, an island that has seen numerous migrant landings in recent years. Salvini’s “closed ports” policy, which he enforced as part of his interior ministry role, was designed to deter people smuggling operations by limiting access to Italian ports.

During the trial, crewmembers testified that conditions aboard the ship worsened, with deteriorating health and sanitation, including an outbreak of scabies. Prosecutor Geri Ferrara emphasized that, under Italy’s democratic system, “human rights must prevail over the protection of state sovereignty.” Salvini, however, maintained that he did not believe the ship’s situation was critical.

A verdict is expected next month. If convicted, Salvini could face six years in prison and be barred from holding public office. Despite the legal challenges, Salvini remains defiant. He took to social media to assert that “defending Italy is not a crime” and praised his government’s efforts, which he claimed led to reduced migrant landings and deaths in the Mediterranean.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her solidarity with Salvini, denouncing the charges as an alarming precedent. She argued that no Italian minister should be prosecuted for carrying out their duties to protect national borders.