Scholz then wants to appear in front of the press with Meloni in the afternoon (4.30 p.m.). The Italian Prime Minister took office in October. A right-wing coalition led by her far-right Fratelli d'Italia (FDI) party secured an absolute majority in both chambers of parliament in the late September elections.

Meloni's election victory had raised concerns across the EU about Italy's future course in Europe. Scholz congratulated Meloni on taking office in October. He was looking forward to "continuing to work closely with Italy in the EU, NATO and G7," he wrote on Twitter at the time. The Chancellor has now met Meloni several times, including at the EU and G20 summits.