Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20 will attract the attention of several European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Maloni, the only head of state personally invited. According to Euractiv, the US president-elect has broken an unwritten rule that usually excludes inviting foreign heads of state to the inauguration by inviting several leaders, including Argentine President Javier Miela and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
According to the information, the only EU leader to confirm receiving a personal invitation was George Maloney. Her invitation was likely made possible by her personal relationship with Trump.
Despite reports that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was also expected to receive an invitation, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs denied the rumors, saying that Orban and no other Hungarian government official had received an invitation.
Meloni herself confirmed her invitation earlier this month during a press conference in Rome, saying she would consider it given her schedule. She added that she would be happy to attend the event if she could.
Euractiv also notes that Maloney has been personally invited, but her participation has not yet been confirmed. The European part of the guest list is mostly made up of Trump allies, including figures from the right and far-right movements.
The leader of the French far-right party Reconquête, Eric Zemmour, has confirmed his participation. The newly elected leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party, Mateusz Morawiecki, also plans to attend and will organize an ECR delegation. The leader of the UK Reform movement, Nigel Farage, has also confirmed his participation.
Among the MEPs attending the event in Washington will be French ECR MEP Marion Marechal and Sarah Knafo from the Europe of Sovereign Nations group.