ROME — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni affirmed that her government is currently in negotiations with various private companies regarding the security of Italy's telecommunications infrastructure, which includes discussions with Elon Musk's SpaceX. However, she firmly denied having any personal conversations with Musk about the contract. “I never talked about this with Musk. It’s not my habit to use my public role to do favors to friends,” Meloni stated during a press conference held earlier this week, as reported by AP News.

Meloni underscored that Italy's national interest is the sole basis for her assessment of potential deals with various private entities. The prospective contract with Musk's SpaceX, purportedly worth €1.5 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) over five years, has sparked significant criticism from opposition parties, who are concerned about entrusting critical communications to a private firm run by Musk. “The issue is that there are no public alternatives for these technologies. It’s a matter of ensuring data protection,” she explained, echoing sentiments expressed previously in Reuters reports.

While asserting that discussions are still in the investigative phase and no agreements have been finalized, Meloni indicated that the government is weighing the advantages of SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, which has been operational in Italy since 2021. If finalized, this contract could enhance secure communications for Italy’s government, military, and emergency services, a factor that she deemed crucial considering the lack of European alternatives to the technology provided by Musk’s company.

During the press conference, Meloni also addressed the political implications of Musk's involvement in international matters, defending the billionaire's right to express his views. “I do not see this danger to democracy. Elon Musk is a very well-known and wealthy person who expresses his ideas,” she noted in light of Musk's recent comments regarding various leaders in Europe, as highlighted in a Newsweek article.

Experts have cautioned about the sensitivity of such partnerships between European nations and companies like SpaceX, given the competitive landscape of the telecommunications market. Should a deal materialize, it would empower SpaceX to deliver encryption services essential for diplomatic and military communications within Italy, addressing a critical need amid rising security concerns.