Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on her first visit to Italy to discuss bilateral cooperation

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on her first visit to Italy since taking office. The meeting takes place ahead of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass and comes after a European summit in Albania. Recently, an article in Die Welt stirred controversy by noting that Italy is no longer considered an important partner in the German government's coalition agreement, sparking outrage among Italian politicians. Although Germany denies distancing itself from Italy, the subject of bilateral cooperation will be discussed at the meeting.