Italian opposition leaders roundly criticized Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government for engaging in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX on a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) deal for encrypted communications systems.

Elon Musk is close to further solidifying his ties with Europe’s right-wing political class as his SpaceX group nears a historic deal with the Italian government to provide security services to the public sector,

Italy’s prime minister accused of currying favour with world’s richest man at expense of European satellite initiative

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Elon Musk's growing involvement in politics on Thursday and said she had never discussed with him a potential deal to supply secure communications to Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni did not discuss Rome's talks with Elon Musk's SpaceX over the possible supply of its Starlink services during her weekend visit to the United States, the PM's office said.

Following Meloni's comments, Musk responded on X, saying, “And Soros is being defeated." Earlier on Thursday, Meloni also defended Elon Musk's increasing involvement in politics, stating that she had never discussed a potential deal with him to supply secure communications to Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended Elon Musk’s political involvement, dismissing interference concerns. Meloni denied discussing any secure communication deals with Musk, highlighting foreign investments decided on national interest.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denies discussing a deal with Elon Musk to use Starlink for secure military communications. As Italy evaluates SpaceX's system against the delayed EU IRIS2 project,

Handing control of Italy’s military satellite communications to the U.S. tech tycoon has prompted sharp criticism in Italy from opposition politicians.

In a surprising move, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has thrown his weight behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the country's national election. Musk endorsed the party during a live-streamed conversation with the AfD's candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, on his social media platform X.

MILAN : Italy would have full control of its data under any potential deal struck with Elon Musk’s Starlink for secure satellite communications, an Italian representative for the billionaire’s aerospace businesses said.