ROME — On Thursday, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that her administration is engaged in discussions with various private firms, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, regarding the security framework of the nation’s telecommunications system. However, she firmly denied any private conversations with Musk on this subject. Meloni emphasized, “I never talked about this with Musk. It’s not my habit to use my public role to do favors to friends,” while addressing journalists during her annual press conference focusing on potential agreements related to Italy’s telecom security.
Meloni highlighted that the national interest is her primary concern when considering partnerships with SpaceX, the parent company of the satellite network Starlink. The project, valued at approximately 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) over five years, has drawn criticism from opposition parties who question the appropriateness of entrusting communications management to a company owned by Musk. If a deal is finalized, SpaceX would be tasked with delivering encryption services for the Italian government and supplying communications infrastructure for military and emergency services.
Earlier this week, Meloni reiterated her position, denying any formal agreement with Musk, despite their amicable rapport. A statement from the Italian government further clarified that no discussions had occurred regarding a SpaceX deal during Meloni’s recent engagement with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. During the press conference, Meloni explained, “SpaceX allows very delicate information to be communicated securely on a diplomatic and military level,” adding that her government is holding discussions with various private entities.
She acknowledged that the investigation phase remains ongoing and no contracts have been finalized thus far. Meloni stated, “The issue is that there are no public alternatives for these technologies. Obviously, it’s a question of placing data protection in the hands of a private entity. But the alternative is not having these data protected.” She emphasized that both circumstances are less than ideal and expressed concerns about the potential consequences if sensitive communications were to fall into the wrong hands.
Experts in the security domain have pointed out growing caution among European nations in forming partnerships with SpaceX, particularly due to the company’s burgeoning success, which is putting pressure on Europe’s satellite and telecommunications sectors. Meloni also defended Musk’s right to express his political opinions, implying that he does not threaten democratic integrity. She remarked, “The problem is when these people use resources to finance parties and associations halfway around the world to influence policies, which I don’t see Musk doing, unlike (American investor and philanthropist George) Soros.”
Touching on recent statements from the right-wing populist Reform party leader in the U.K., Nigel Farage, who mentioned being in talks with Musk regarding a donation, Meloni highlighted the complexity of investments intertwined with political ideologies. “Is the problem related to private investments or to the political ideas of the investors?” she pondered aloud. Musk has shown enthusiasm for partnering with Italy and has communicated his willingness to provide “the most secure and advanced connectivity” through his ventures.
Meanwhile, Musk’s Starlink service, already operational in Italy since 2021, is expected to expand its offerings to cover emergencies, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Additionally, Musk’s team is developing another initiative tailored for defense and sensitive operations known as Starshield. The discourse surrounding Musk’s enterprises in Europe underscores a broader discussion about the implications of technology partnerships in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
