Felipe VI spoke this afternoon in the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, before the two chambers assembled, aware that it is a rare privilege – only his father did it in 1998, and John Paul II in 2002 – and a historic day. It is the first time that kings sit in this place, in a country that after fascism and the Second World War voted in a referendum for the republic. And before this parliament, with almost the entire far-right government of Giorgia Meloni present – she was not there, after having eaten with the Kings -, in a speech that was at times emotional and with unusual passages, the King said a few minutes later: ” “We are two countries with memory, with a clear awareness of the past, particularly that which cannot and should not be repeated, not even as a caricature.” He said this after praising parliament as a place where “democracy, individual freedoms, human rights and the rule of law are affirmed.”
The Kings had previously had a working lunch with Meloni at the Bel Respiro casino, in the Villa Pamphilj park, where there were no speeches. In this beautiful palace they have eaten together and been able to talk. Meloni speaks Spanish well, because he spent some summers in the Canary Islands. It is not the first time he has seen the Kings, as they greeted each other at a European Council summit in Granada in October 2023, but it is the first meeting they have had. Earlier, in the morning, they had been received by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, at the Quirinale palace.
In his speech before deputies and senators, after mentioning the danger of repeating the past, the King noted that he sees “with logical concern how many treaties, institutions and multilateral forums are suffering accelerated erosion, while at the same time their effectiveness is questioned – let us accept that very improvable─ or the very meaning of its existence; a dangerous slide towards something uncertain…, and nothing luminous.” The Monarch made these reflections when addressing the position of the two countries in the world, united in the defense of “a world order based on rules and inspired by the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations.”
Upon entering the chamber at 3:40 p.m., Felipe VI touched his chest as a sign of affection and looked at the large glass ceiling, accompanied by the presidents of both chambers, Ignazio La Russa, of the Senate, and Lorenzo Fontana, of the Chamber. The Queen sat opposite, in the center of the lower part of the seats. He began to speak in Italian: “I was not born in Rome, (like my father) but allow me to try to say a few words in the beautiful Italian language” (I was not born in Rome, like my father, but allow me to try to say a few words in the beautiful Italian language). Here he has already earned great applause, the first of many.
The Monarch admitted that upon entering the Montecitorio palace, headquarters of the Chamber, “he was aware that, although it is customary to open the doors of this beautiful palace to foreign leaders, it is not so common to have access to the gallery from the that today I speak to you.” He considered it proof that “Spain is not only seen in Italy as a friendly country, but as a brother country.” For his family it is also a special country on a personal level. Alfonso
On this unique occasion, the King announced “some reflections on our place in the world and in Europe and our bilateral relationship” and began with that reference to the memory of the traumatic past of both countries. He then referred to the war in Ukraine, to ask for “a just peace,” and to the Middle East conflict, for which he had clear words. He condemned “strongly the violence and terror in the region, which in no political cause should find justification or protection,” a definitive ceasefire, the release of all hostages and “massive access to humanitarian aid.” “International law, that lowest common denominator of humanity, must be respected without exception,” he stated. “When the long-awaited silence of the weapons arrives, Spain and Italy will continue to share – no matter how utopian it may seem – the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, as the only possible solution that is durable. and fair.”
The head of state also made a passionate defense of the European Union, recognizing that at this time it faces “complex and enormous” challenges. “But there is no challenge, challenge or threat, however serious, that justifies us turning away from our European identity and path. The price that our citizens would pay, that which Europe itself would pay and that which our civilization would pay would be unaffordable. Let’s not forget it,” he warned. In this sense, he praised the reports with proposals for reforms made by the Italians Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, which he defined as “two of our great beacons.”
The King made special mention of immigration: “We must, as Europeans, continue to give immigrants the dignified treatment that is owed to every human being.” And he called for the Mediterranean to be “an open, prosperous, peaceful and sustainable space.” In this framework, Felipe VI stressed that Italy and Spain can contribute their “Mediterranean sensitivity” and work together defending common interests as a major player in the EU: “They represent a fifth of the European GDP and almost a quarter of the population of the EU”.
After quoting the Spanish philosopher María Zambrano, who lived nearby and frequented the Gran Caffé Greco, he recalled some of her words about Rome: “I felt at the center of life being in Italy”. And the King continued: “And how can we not feel that way, in the center of life, in this fascinating country, whose history is so rooted in our history, whose culture is so close to our hearts? Sincere thanks, Italy, for contributing so much to what we are, for showing us, yesterday, today and always, how high human beings can fly.” He received a standing ovation from parliamentarians.
In the morning, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, showed the Kings his solidarity with those affected by the dana in Valencia and other towns. “It is a devastation that unfortunately Italy also knows well,” said the president, referring to the floods recorded in the country in recent years. In this sense, he has called on Spain and Italy “to fight climate change with an effective and global energy transition.”
“The Queen and I were looking forward to this state trip to Italy,” Felipe VI responded in a brief greeting. ”Being here together brings back great memories of our first official visit to Italy. We carried it out a few months after my proclamation as King, 10 years ago. It was an intense day, full of meaning,” he recalled. This first day, too, has been.
