ROME: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party in Italy’s main conservative fraternity won the most votes in European parliamentary elections at the weekend, with results that boosted her standing at home and abroad.
With 96% of the votes counted, the Italian brothers won 28.8% of the vote, four times more than they won in the last EU elections in 2019, and up from 26% when they became a force in the 2022 national ballot. .
“I am proud that Italy will present itself to the G7 and the strongest government in Europe. This is something that did not happen in the past, but it happened today, it is a great satisfaction and responsibility,” said Meloni. from the party headquarters on Monday morning.
The opposition centre-left Democratic Party was in second place with 24%, while another opposition group, the 5-Star Movement, came third with 9.9% of the vote – its worst performance nationally since it was founded in 2009.
EU polls show Meloni’s governing coalition, made up of parties ranging from the center right to the political right, will win more than 47% of support in 2022, up from 43% to 47%.
“I am proud that the ruling majority of this nation has been able to grow together. This is very important for me and our people. The message from Italy is: ‘Go forward… and if possible with more determination.’ Meloney said.
Forza Italia, founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, is in fourth place with 9.7% of the vote and is up against the guard of old leader Matteo Salvini, who pushed his party directly ahead of the anti-immigrant league with 9.1%.
Underscoring tensions within the League, party founder Umberto Bossi has voted for Forza Italia today, allies told Italian media over the weekend.
MELONIE power
Meloni’s party traces its roots to neo-fascist groups, and its 2022 victory marks a right-wing gain in Europe, even in the latest EU vote, which saw the continent shift to the right.
However, Meloni has abandoned his previous anti-EU rhetoric and positioned himself as a bridge between the mainstream centre-right and the previously staid national conservative camp.
The strong showing on Sunday was in stark contrast to the struggle between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who both won.
If Meloni’s group of lawmakers decides to back right-wing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, Rome could hand over power to a new EU executive.
Sunday was also a big win for Maloney’s main challenger, Ellie Schlein, who leads the centre-left party in 2023 and is fighting to impose her will on the old guard. PD won 19% in 2022, and Schlein wants to increase that.
The far-left Greens and Left Alliance won around 6.8%, meaning their candidate, Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist jailed in Hungary for more than a year for attacking right-wing militants, is now an EU member of parliament.
Disappointed in all parties, the turnout was below 50%, a record low in a country with historically strong voter turnout, according to preliminary data.
