ROME – Following the election of Donald Trump as president of the USA, Italian Prime Minister Renzi says “Congratulations” to the new leader, whilst Foreign Minister Gentiloni assures Italy’s relationship with America “shall not change.”

 Matteo Renzi said of the news, “The world greets the election of Trump. In the name of Italy I congratulate him and wish him good work, assured that the friendship between Italy and America shall remain strong and solid (…) This is the point of change for the entire international community, including within the context of the electoral campaign. It is a new political fact which, together with others, demonstrate that we are in a new season.”

 “Italy will continue its friendship and collaboration with the USA, these things will not change, just as our unwillingness to accept protectionism and closures shall not change either,” said Paolo Gentiloni during an interview with Radio Anch’io, regarding the election of Donald Trump for new president of the USA.

 Leader of the Lega Nord party and member of the European parliament for North-West Italy, Matteo Salvini, said of the news, “the victory of Trump is a blow to globalisation (…) it is the payback of the population, of courage, of self-esteem, of work and security, of the faces of bankers, of speculators, of singers and journalists (…) the population have defeated the major powers 3 to 0.”

 “We can hardly believe it! The Americans have chosen Trump (…) #thewindsarechanging!!!” said the president of the Liguria region, Giovanni Toti, commenting on the electoral result over Twitter.

 Francesco Boccia, president of the commission for the Chamber Budget, added over the same social media site in response to the media backlash, “There is nothing to be afraid of. It is the US democracy. Good luck to President Trump. We think you will do well for Italy and for Europe.”

 However, Renato Brunetta, leader of Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party in the Chamber of Deputies, said, “The prime minister Matteo Renzi, from today onwards is politically finished, he is a dead man walking. He is isolated in Europe thanks to his strong support for the female US candidate, who no longer stands a chance -- in such a grave manner he has placed, totally going against strategy, Italy on the side of Clinton, seriously damaging the credibility and image of the institutions of our country.”

 “Concerns very much remain and leave much reflection over this result,” Radio Anch’io reported from the White House. Ex-president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, said that the first words of the new president “seemed to indicate an awareness of the responsibility that rests on his shoulders. It must be assured that this awareness becomes effective and these words are followed in reality.”

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