Protection strengthened for Tajani and Salvini, unchanged for Meloni. Foreign Minister: climate not the best

After the murder of Charlie Kirk, on Friday 12 September the Viminale had ordered 'a review and possible reinforcement of risk profiling measures'. Following that communication, the 'protection apparatuses' for the two deputy prime ministers, Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, were reinforced. Instead, the protection of the premier Giorgia Meloni was not increased. The decision was taken at a meeting in the prefecture in Rome in which it was decided to sensitise the implementation or increase the level of protection services for certain institutional and political personalities.

By their own choice, since the beginning of the legislature Meloni, Tajani and Salvini had opted for a second-tier escort. A solution now deemed insufficient by the security apparatus after Kirk's murder. And on Wednesday 17 September the premier and the two deputies appeared in public, on a stage, the Messaggero had written, 'surrounded by a visibly more robust security device than usual. There were at least six escort agents around Meloni. A seventh with a black briefcase: inside it a bullet-proof cloth ready for the eventuality'.

I have always said that different language must be used to avoid inflaming tempers. Today the level of escorting the President of the Council, Vice-President Salvini and myself has been raised, so it means that the climate is not the best. Instead, I invite everyone to lower their tone. I have not offended anyone today,' commented the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.