Roger Waters against Giorgia Meloni: “She’s your Mussolini”

Roger Waters is back in the news for his political positions and support for the Palestinian cause. In an interview given to Il Fatto Quotidiano, the former Pink Floyd commented on the pro-Palestine demonstrations in Italy and the international political situation, also focusing on the current Italian government. Waters says he followed the protests in Genoa and Rome carefully, although he only participated “from a distance”. Demonstrations which, according to him, represent an encouraging sign: “The idea that we could rebel against Mussolini again gives me strength“, he says.

And then he adds, referring to the Prime Minister: “Meloni is your Mussolini. In Italy there is a woman called Meloni, right?”. For the British musician, however, Giorgia Meloni is just one of the many contemporary incarnations of an authoritarian model that is apparently recurring on a global scale. “They’re everywhere”claims Waters, citing names and countries: Bolsonaro in Brazil, Trump in the United States, but also Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage in the United Kingdom. It is not the first time that Waters uses clear and direct words, an attitude that over the years has cost him criticism and controversy, but which has also made him one of the most listened to voices among supporters of Palestine. In the interview, the artist also tries to explain the economic reasons which, in his opinion, push world politics towards armed conflicts.

“Our countries are preparing us for war,” he says, “because it is convenient, but only for their American masters, who own most of the weapons factories.” According to Waters, in addition to the United States, Israel and Germany would also have a direct interest in keeping tension high, being among the main producers of armaments. War, he continues, would thus become an instrument of distraction: immigration is transformed into a scapegoat to divert public attention. “That’s why the Americans in power say you have to spend 5% of GDP on the war – concludes Waters – they will make people’s lives miserable: no education, no healthcare, no social services. Life will get harder and harder“.