After the parliamentary elections in Italy, the head of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia, Giorgia Meloni, sees the right-wing camp under the leadership of her party as the government’s mandate: “Italy elected us.” Based on the first projections, it can be said that the Italians sent a clear signal to the ballot boxes, Meloni said on the night in Rome. She spoke of a “night of pride” and a “night of redemption”. She said to her followers that one was not at the place of arrival, but at the place of departure. She wants to govern for all Italians, “with the aim of uniting the people, promoting what unites and not what separates”
The Fratelli d’Italia were still largely insignificant in the 2018 general election with just over 4.0 percent. Projections now see her as clearly the strongest force – as party leader, Meloni could therefore become the first head of government in Italy. With the right-wing populist Lega and the conservative Forza Italia, she is likely to get an absolute majority of seats in parliament.
Meloni always emphasizes her support for Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and she is considered to be pro-Western and pro-NATO on foreign policy. However, she is also known for her criticism of the institutions in Brussels. During the election campaign, the 45-year-old tried to allay concerns abroad about the right-wing parties taking over government and assured that Italy would remain a reliable partner.
Nevertheless, parts of the EU are looking south with concern – also because of the Ukraine war, in which the member states are struggling for unity. Katharina Barley (SPD), Vice-President of the EU Parliament, told Die Welt that Meloni’s “election campaign tactical lip service for Europe” could not hide the fact that she posed a threat to constructive cooperation in Europe. Rasmus Andresen, spokesman for the German Greens in the EU Parliament, said the “unprecedented Italian slide to the right” would have massive repercussions on Europe and the European Union.
“We celebrate with Italy”
The European right, on the other hand, celebrates the victory of the Fratelli d’Italia. “We’re celebrating with Italy!” Wrote AfD member of parliament Beatrix von Storch on Twitter. Referring to the recent elections in Sweden, in which the right was also successful, she wrote: “Sweden in the north, Italy in the south: left-wing governments are so yesterday.” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki from the PiS wrote: “Congratulations @Giogia Meloni”.
French MEP Jordan Bardella from Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National (RN) was also pleased: the Italians had given EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “a lesson in humility,” he wrote in the short message service. The German politician said last week that her agency had “tools” if Italy, under a right-wing government, failed to comply with EU rules. “No threat of any kind can stop democracy.”