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On two separate occasions prior to the Easter holiday, New Europe had the opportunity to meet with Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italys Lega party and the former deputy prime minister, in Rome to about a wide range of issues that included the EUs immigration policy, management of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines and a development plan for the south of Italy proposed by his party.

New Europe (NE): After your meeting with the prime ministers of Poland and Hungary, are you planning to found a new group in the European Parliament? If so, and if were talking about immigration, what are your priorities at the EU level?

Matteo Salvini (MS): The top priories are the EU repatriation policy and border protection. When were talking about these two specific issues, were asking for more Europe . In some policy areas, we want the other members of the European Union to be able to decide for themselves on other issues, but on these two specific points, we think Europe should have a major role in terms of cooperation. Speaking about a larger vision for the future of the European Union, I think after the COVID crisis, the EU needs to reinvent itself and find a new soul. The political groups inside the European Parliament should seize the occasion and use it as a way to change. If today we could fuse together the European Conservatives and Reformists and Identity and Democracy groups, we could have the second biggest group in the parliament, a true alternative to the European Peoples Party/Socialists and Democrats duo.

NE: What do you think about the possibility of locking all of Italy for the entire month of April as has been suggested by Health Minister Roberto Speranza?

MS: I personally requested that Prime Minister Mario Draghi should always take the scientific data into consideration. If the data tells us that those specific areas should stay in the red zone, then restrictions need to be kept. However, if other areas in the country have good data in terms of positive cases and hospitalizations, they need to be put in the yellow zone. This is not the case now in terms of how it is being done. For example, as of March 31, based on the most up-to-date data that we have, Sardinia could reopen. I dont know why the 1.5 million inhabitants of Sardinia should be forced to stay home and close up their shops for the entire month of April only because some only see red across the whole country. Red is the color seen by bulls and Communists. Were asking for a clear and logical system if it red we close but if the situation is good we must reopen. I agree with what PM Draghi said that we have to look at the scientific data. If in April, some regions should be classified in the yellow zone, then we must reopen them, What is at stake are thousands of jobs and the mental health of Italians. It is completely nonsense to be able to verify, from March 31 till the end of April, specific restrictions about red and orange zones. This issue should not be treated from an ideological point of view, but only one that is scientific and pragmatic. Yesterday, I saw the updated data from the regions about the pandemic in Italy. The number of hospitalizations, ICUs and positive cases are all decreasing. Therefore, if this trend continues for the next several days, there is no way to justify extended lockdown closures after April 15.

NE: The lack of vaccines jabs in Italy and the EU is still an unresolved issue. Which of the other available vaccines could be interesting for you? For Example, I know that you have contacts with the Indian authorities.

MS: Whatever vaccine is effective is welcome in Italy. India is a very advanced country with regards its pharmaceutical research. I would use the Indian vaccine tomorrow morning, if possible. I spoke with the President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, and in the Veneto, they are distributing vaccines very fast, but now the main problem is that the original vaccine provisions are coming to an end and new doses are not arriving. Regarding the self-sufficiency of vaccines, Giancarlo Giorgetti, the Minister for Economic Development, is working to accelerate the production of vaccines in Italy. By the end of the year, Italy-based production should be at full speed.

NE: Youve developed a plan to relaunch and support the development of Southern Italy. How can Europe help with this initiative and what are you asking the EU to do to help implement your plan?

MS: We havent asked for anything. Europe should only respect the existing pacts and let us continue to work on our own. The EU should deliver on its promised numbers of vaccines and let Italian entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen and researchers work without ridiculous regulations that block the further development of a company like Alitalia. Were not asking for money, just the right to the freedom to work.

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INTERVIEW with Matteo Salvini: The European Union needs to reinvent itself and find a new soul - New Europe