Rome, Italy:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that George Soros interferes in the domestic politics of other nations and uses his money to destabilize countries. His comments come at a time when Elon Musk is being criticized for his alleged meddling in European politics.

Ms Maloney said Elon Musk’s comments about European politics on his social media platform X were in no way a threat to democracy. He compared him to billionaire George Soros, saying the latter is the one who threatens democracy and political interference.

Claiming that foreigners have long been meddling in Europe’s politics, the Italian prime minister asked reporters that “Elon Musk is just exercising his right to freedom of expression”. He wondered if the problem was that he was rich and had views that were ‘right of centre’. “Is the problem (with Elon Musk) because he’s rich and influential? Or is it because he’s not on the left?” he asked.

Citing the example of George Soros, he said it is well known how the rich and powerful with “left-wing ideologies” have been involved in political interference in other democracies, concluding that ” Musk poses no threat to democracy, George Soros does.” To which Elon Musk quickly responded on X, “And Soros is being defeated.”

Ms Maloney added that she had not taken any money from Elon Musk, “unlike those who have taken it from Soros.” He also denied media reports that his government in Italy was close to signing a major, and controversial, cybersecurity deal with Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.

Elon Musk, whose strong support for Donald Trump helped him win the US election, is now under fire from libertarians across Europe for attacking several European leaders on his social media website X. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz.

This has alarmed many in Europe, which is already seeing a rise in support for the right or far right across the continent. Addressing those concerns at a press conference, Ms. Maloney said that Elon Musk’s views on X could not be described as “dangerous interference” in any case.

“It becomes a problem when wealthy people use their resources to finance certain political parties, associations, organizations and political representatives around the world to influence the political choices of nation-states.” “That’s not what Musk is doing,” Ms. Maloney said.

“I am not aware of Elon Musk providing financial support to political parties, associations or political representatives around the world. E.g. But, that’s what George Soros does — and yes, I consider that a dangerous interference in the affairs of nation states and their sovereignty,” he said.

George Soros used the wealth he amassed as a financier in the 1970s and 80s to create the Open Society Foundations, or OSF, which support and fund a vast network of “causes” and NGOs around the world. . His foundation reportedly claims that this is done to promote good governance, liberal public policy initiatives, and democratization programs. Although Soros and his foundation face serious charges of political interference, promoting social anarchy, funding political parties during elections. He is also often the target of anti-Semitic conspiracies.