Former Five Star Movement deputy minister Emanuela Del Re has joined Forza Italia: "Tajani is a man of balance and without excess."

"I decided to join Forza Italia to concretely continue a relationship that has intensified recently on foreign issues that are dear to me. As a special representative of the European Union, I have often found myself in agreement with Antonio Tajani , an advocate of a very thoughtful and non-excessive line. Therefore, starting from this awareness, I have decided to switch to Forza Italia. I thank the party's leaders, starting with Maurizio Gasparri, in particular." This is how Emanuela Del Re , a 62-year-old Roman, former Deputy Foreign Minister in the Conte I and Conte II governments, announced her decision to Il Foglio. She was nominated by the Five Star Movement (M5S) for the Chamber of Deputies in 2018 and was tipped as a possible Foreign Minister in a Five Star Movement government. Her career in Parliament and at the Foreign Ministry was short-lived, however. In recent years, the professor was chosen as the European Union's special envoy to the Sahel , a role she held for two terms. Now she is moving to the party founded by Berlusconi.

Why Del Re?

" I express my gratitude to Forza Italia, a party with long-term prospects."

How did one go from Luigi Di Maio to Antonio Tajani?

"I can only express my respect and gratitude to Di Maio. He was a good Foreign Minister, indeed an excellent one, regardless of his domestic policy choices, which are another matter entirely."

Don't you like Giuseppe Conte's foreign policy?

"I've never had a relationship with Conte. Foreign policy is certainly always very complicated and nuanced. Balance is needed: that's why I hold Tajani in high regard. And I'd add that in recent years I've found the diplomatic staff at the Farnesina to be top-notch."

There is talk of his upcoming assignment at the UN.

"Having spent time with so many people from Campania over the years, I've become superstitious."

And what is he doing in the meantime?

"I recently published a book on African and European thought."

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