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,

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.

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 political involvement, dismissing interference concerns. Meloni denied discussing any secure communication deals with Musk, highlighting foreign investments decided on national interest.

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 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,

I am not aware of Elon Musk financing parties, associations or political exponents around the world, said Giorgia Meloni, adding that George Soros does this.

The EU is concerned over Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in far-right politics in Germany, the U.K. and elsewhere. Experts argue the tech billionaire will exploit increased polarization for economic and political gain.

The importance of boosting the European Union's international role was stressed in a meeting between Premier Giorgia Meloni and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas,

Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni said the Italian government is in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, over Italy's telecoms security system.