Meloni and Abascal Meet in Madrid Amid Venezuela Tensions

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spent the New Year's holiday in Madrid, where she met with Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's Vox party. The visit took place on a Saturday and included a private lunch at Abascal's home. Following the meeting, Abascal shared photos on social media, highlighting the personal nature of the visit.

The timing of the meeting coincided with significant international events. Specifically, it occurred on the same day that the United States conducted a military operation in Venezuela. While the geopolitical situation in Venezuela drew global attention, the Madrid meeting proceeded quietly. The interaction highlights the relationship between two prominent conservative leaders in Europe and their respective political strategies.

The meeting between the two leaders took place in a private setting in the Spanish capital. Santiago Abascal invited the Italian Prime Minister to his home for a holiday meal. Following the visit, Abascal immediately took to Twitter to publicize the event. He posted images of the visit and a video of Giorgia Meloni driving a red mini-cooper with Abascal as the passenger.

Abascal's tweet contained specific praise for the Italian leader. He wrote: "Aquí, de copiloto de una chica valiente que está cambiando el mundo. Un orgullo recibirla este año nuevo en España, en Madrid y en casa." This translates to him being the co-pilot of a brave girl who is changing the world, and expressing pride in receiving her in Spain and his home for the new year. The public display of their friendship served to emphasize the close ties between the two political figures.

Despite their personal friendship, Giorgia Meloni and Santiago Abascal belong to different European political groups. Meloni leads the Fratelli d'Italia party, which is part of the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) group. This group is described as an extreme right-wing faction that remains more aligned with European integration and NATO.

In contrast, Abascal's Vox party recently moved to the Patriots group, led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This group is characterized as being closer to Russia and holding anti-European views. This shift also included Matteo Salvini and his Italian party, La Liga. Despite these ideological divergences, the relationship between the two leaders remains strong.

Observers note that Meloni treats Abascal with a protective dynamic. Sources indicate that she "cuida de Abascal como de un hermano pequeño en política," or cares for him like a little brother in politics. However, this closeness has occasional friction. Reports suggest Meloni was not pleased when Abascal shared photos of their lunch on the same day as the US military operation in Venezuela, as it potentially overshadowed the gravity of the international news.

The context of the meeting highlights how Venezuelan politics are utilized by Spanish parties. The source material suggests that Spanish parties find it comfortable to use Venezuela for their domestic political struggles. This approach allows them to focus on internal brega (strife or struggle) without looking beyond their immediate political needs.

The interaction between Abascal and Meloni is viewed as a significant example of this phenomenon. The degree of "complicidad" (complicity or solidarity) between Abascal and Meloni places Vox among influential formations. It serves as an example of the extension of a new political hegemony that radiates from Washington. The meeting in Madrid, therefore, is not just a personal visit but a reflection of broader geopolitical currents and how they are leveraged for domestic political gain.