Lorenzo Valloreja outlined his ideas in his book, titled “Beyond Prejudice” (“Al Di La’ Del Pregiudizio”), which will be presented to the public at the Italian Senate headquarters in December by the author, Senator Paola De Pin and professor Nino Galloni.
When asked why he believes that Italy needs to leave the EU, Valloreja said that he, just like many of his peers in the 1970s and 1980s, was persuaded that a united Europe would be a cure-all.
Italy and the EU
He added that as he studied the emergence of the European Union, the euro and Italy’s accession to NATO, he realized the problems the country was faced with.
“Italy is hamstrung and is unable to live the way it wants to. We have given up our sovereignty in the name of the European Union. The EU was created for the sake of France and Germany. Italy did the right thing when it joined in, but this decision eventually backfired leading to many big problems as we faced serious restrictions, including in agriculture. Germany and France pursued their own interests, but they differ from ours, they are even opposite to our interests,” Valloreja continued.
“After the reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, the Bank of Italy became independent from the government. We will avoid problems if we nationalize it and start buying back the gold reserves, which are currently being managed by private banks. Even if we have devaluation we could print new money. Devaluation will boost our exports. Exports are very important for Italy, but it suffered greatly from [the introduction of the euro],” Valloreja noted.
“Of course, leaving the EU alone would be the end of Italy. In Chapter 4 of my book I write about the need for closer cooperation with Russia,”
Italy and NATO
When asked why he believes Italy should leave NATO, he said that as a NATO member, Italy has to fight allies such as Libya.
“We now have problems with Iran, which is our major trading partner. If the Trump Administration unleashes war on Iran, we will have to follow suit. The NATO countries continue their eastward expansion, which worries Russia. The Cold War is history, but everything is being done now to bring it back, including by holding large-scale military drills in the Baltic countries,” he said.
He described Russia as a country holding a veto power at the UN, a peaceful country, which is not trying to expand anywhere.
“Russia could become our partner and I hope that Italy will establish closer ties with Moscow and together we will be able to change the geopolitical situation in the Mediterranean.”
“We could change the geopolitical scenario if we have economic and military cooperation with Russia. Our bond should become stronger, but not as to suffocate ties within the EU and NATO. We don’t want to be a nightmare for Russia, we want a dialogue and to help each other’s economies with trade.”
“I’m not against a united Europe, but it should be what it was originally meant to be – with closer ties between countries and peoples. However, as it is now, Europe cannot exist any longer,” Lorenzo Valloreja said.
Russia and Europe
He noted that Russia should become part of this Europe, but it won’t happen because the EU is not about equality.
“Germany has its own clout, just like France, etc. If Russia joined the EU it would push the Germans aside, but Berlin will not let this happen. That’s why I believe that Italy should leave the EU, NATO and the Eurozone.”
“Our country should open itself fully to Russia and lift the sanctions. We could become trailblazers for other countries to follow suit. We won’t be left alone, but this will take courage,” Lorenzo Valloreja concluded.
