Negotiations between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government and Elon Musk’s SpaceX over a Starlink deal reportedly worth $1.6 billion are sparking outrage in Italy’s parliament.

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.