Elon Musk is sparking outrage over a possible $1.6 billion Starlink deal in Italy after forging a cozy rapport with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Elon Musk’s Starlink is in talks for a $1.6 billion deal with Italy’s government, sparking controversy. Opposition leaders raise national security concerns and demand Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni change course.

Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein on Sunday reiterated her criticism of the hypothesis Premier Giorgia Meloni's administration could reach an agreement with Elon Musk's SpaceX to use their Starlink satellites for secure Italian government telecoms after the world richest man talked about denying Ukraine access to it.

Elon Musk has asked to meet Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, amid growing doubts in Rome about a potential $1.5bn deal with Starlink, the multi-billionaire’s internet satellite provider. Musk wrote on X late on Saturday that it “would be an honour to speak with President Matterella”,

Italian opposition parties stepped up criticism Monday of a proposed deal between the government and SpaceX's Starlink following founder Elon Musk's suggestion he could cut Ukraine from the satellite network.

Italian opposition parties on Monday stepped up criticism of a proposed deal between Rome and satellite internet provider Starlink after its founder Elon Musk suggested he could cut Ukraine's access to the network.

The Italian government is having growing doubts about closing a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink in light of the US pullback from commitments to European security, people familiar with the matter said.

Elon Musk has requested a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella as uncertainty grows over a potential $1.5 billion deal between Italy and Starlink for secure military communications.