Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is stranded in Dubai following disruptions caused by attacks in Iran, sparking criticism from political opponents and raising questions about the government’s preparedness.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto is currently unable to leave Dubai due to the fallout from recent bombings in Iran, a situation that has drawn fire from both Roberto Vannacci and opposition parties. Vannacci, the founder of Futuro Nazionale, posted a message online stating, “Save Soldier Crosetto. A special operation has begun to extract Crosetto: the only Defense Minister who goes on vacation in a war zone without knowing it.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters on March 1 that he did not know when Crosetto would be able to return, but hoped it would be before March 7. Tajani also stated that the government was unaware of Crosetto’s presence in Dubai when the attacks began. “I personally didn’t know,” he said, adding that he was informed of the attacks by Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar early in the morning as they were already underway. Crosetto has since announced his expected return to Italy.
The Five Star Movement (M5S) has called for the minister’s resignation. “There’s no point in beating around the bush: we don’t feel protected by this government,” said M5S leader Giuseppe Conte in a social media post. “In light of the ongoing attack in Iran and the military escalation inflaming the Middle East, we learned yesterday that the Italian Defense Minister is currently stranded in Dubai due to airspace closures. This situation raises serious concerns.”
“This isn’t a personal matter, but an institutional one,” said M5S Vice President Stefano Patuanelli. “It’s legitimate to ask about the level of prior information the government had regarding the military developments, what coordination there was with allies, and how the full operability of the command chain is being ensured during such a critical time. We have long considered this government politically inadequate. But never before has the stakes been so high regarding national security. When international stability, our soldiers abroad, and the country’s strategic interests are at risk, improvisation is unacceptable.” Patuanelli concluded by stating that the Defense Minister should resign “out of respect for the institutions and for the solid of the country.”
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