(ANSA) - Rome, October 18 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, speaking to Italian daily La Repubblica during a visit to Moscow on Thursday, said "friends from various countries" are calling on him to run as the populist candidate for European Commission president.
"I'm pleased they see me as a reference point for defending people, even outside of Italy," Salvini said.
"We'll see; I'll think about it," he said.
Regarding his visit to Russia, he said he "feels at home, safe" in the country.
"And we will give a resolute 'no' on Brussels' de facto plan to indefinitely extend sanctions on Moscow," he said.
Salvini floats idea of European Commission presidency bid
Deputy premier against indefinitely extending Moscow sanctions