“Everything came to a standstill”
Billion-dollar deal between Musk and Meloni in danger
Updated on 03/22/2025 – 3:19 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Negotiations on Starlink between Italy and SpaceX have stalled. Instead of technical details, controversy around Elon Musk now determine the agenda.
Negotiations between Italy and the US group SpaceX from Elon Musk on the use of the Starlink telecommunications system have stalled. “It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill,” Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the “La Repubblica” newspaper on Saturday. This is partly due to the fact that instead of technical aspects, the person is discussed. Musk is criticized in Europe, among other things, because of the interference in election campaigns with its short message service X. For example, he recommended that the Germans choose the AfD and, with AfD boss Alice Weidel, had a conversation that was widespread. In addition, his role as a consultant by US President Donald Trump is also critically seen outside the United States.
Crosetto said the talks should be resumed at the technical level as soon as the situation has calmed down. “It’s about what the nation is most useful and safest for the nation,” said the minister. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to buy a neglected communication system for government and military. One of the candidates for this is Starlink. The group operates 6,700 satellites in low orbit and is one of the leading providers in this sector. Insider reported Reuters that the government in Rome has considered a five -year contract worth 1.5 billion euros with Starlink. In the opposition, the project had met with criticism.
