Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, has warned that Russia could try to influence the country's upcoming general election, describing the threat as a matter that concerns the whole European Union. Speaking on Wednesday after arriving at an informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, Tajani said that attempts to sway democratic votes in member states could not be ruled out.
"It cannot be ruled out that there may be attempts to influence the elections in the countries where the vote is being held," he told reporters. "I do not rule out attempts by the Russian Federation to interfere in the democratic life of European Union countries, interfering in free democratic elections held in our countries, attempting to influence the will of the people with this reprehensible activity."
The warning comes as Italians prepare to head to the polls, with surveys showing that the cost of living, a deteriorating public health system, security, and immigration are among voters' top concerns. Tajani's remarks reflect a broader unease across Europe about Russian hybrid attacks and their potential to destabilise democratic processes.
Trojan horse claims dismissed
Tajani also addressed a recent Financial Times article that described Roberto Vannacci, leader of Italy's new right-wing National Future party, as "a Trojan horse for Russia." The foreign minister rejected the report but stopped short of categorically denying its claims.
"The Financial Times can write what it wants. You always then have to prove what you say. I hope this is absolutely false," Tajani said.
According to the FT, Vannacci, a former army general, is seeking to convert lingering pro-Moscow sentiment among parts of the Italian public into political support, particularly by exploiting the economic fallout of the war in Ukraine and the associated sanctions. The article cites analysts who suspect "Russian influence" behind his political rise, noting that his Kremlin-friendly positions could complicate Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's re-election campaign by tapping into currents of pacifism, economic discontent, and sympathy for Moscow that persist in Italy.
Rome–Moscow tensions escalate
The back-and-forth between Rome and Moscow has grown more frequent and more acerbic in recent weeks. On Monday, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto responded directly to Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who had ridiculed the appointment of former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as an adviser to Italy's defence ministry.
"I understand that they would prefer decisions for Italy to be taken by someone who checks in with Moscow first," Crosetto said. "For now, that is still not the case and we reason by thinking only of Rome and not Moscow, Kyiv or Washington."
This is not the first time the two sides have traded barbs. A month ago, when rumours were swirling about Fedorov's then-unconfirmed advisory role, Zakharova said sarcastically: "It is a pity that Osama bin Laden did not live long enough to see it: he would have been an excellent adviser to the Italian government."
The escalating rhetoric underscores the wider friction between the EU and Russia, which has intensified since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. European leaders have repeatedly voiced concern about Russian hybrid attacks and have sought to bolster defences against disinformation and electoral interference. The EU has also been exploring ways to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow.
As Italy prepares for its election, the question of external interference is likely to remain a sensitive topic. Tajani's comments serve as a reminder that the integrity of democratic processes across the continent is a shared concern, one that requires vigilance and cooperation among all member states.
