According to Politico, two deputy prime ministers of Giorgia Meloni’s government, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, argue that the project, referred to as the world’s longest suspension bridge, has strategic importance and can therefore legitimately be counted towards NATO obligations.
“We must make it clear to the Italians that the concept of security is not limited to tanks,” Tajani stated. According to him, the bridge fits into the concept of defence, since Sicily is a NATO base.
The government stated in an April document: “The bridge does not only serve civilian purposes but is also of strategic importance from a national and international security perspective, as it facilitates the movement of Italian and NATO forces.”
The bridge is one of the recurring grand ideas of Italian domestic politics, but until now technical, financial and political obstacles – including earthquake risk and runaway construction costs – have hindered its realisation. Now, however, according to the government, military classification could help overcome bureaucratic and legal obstacles and could even make the project eligible for EU infrastructure funds.
The opposition, on the other hand, fiercely criticises the government’s idea. Giuseppe Antoci, MEP of the Five Star Movement, put it this way: “This is a mockery of the citizens and NATO commitments. I doubt that they would accept this governmental bluff.”
In his view, the government should rather spend the money on the real problems of Southern Italy – the potholed roads, outdated hospitals and obsolete railway network.
“The population of Sicily and Calabria lives in third-world conditions, so the bridge cannot enjoy priority.”
Nevertheless, Matteo Salvini – who hopes for a political breakthrough from this investment in the southern region – continues to lobby strongly for the realisation of the concept. According to the government, the final permit could arrive in July, and Salvini has even suggested that the future bridge be named after Silvio Berlusconi.
Whether NATO and especially construction-loving Donald Trump will accept the argument remains questionable for now. The American delegation at the NATO summit only smiled at the proposal but has not yet given an official reaction.
