A helping hand despite reluctance. The European Union, not made to agree at the start with the eurosceptic Giorgia Meloni, said it was ready to “collaborate” with the government of the leader of the post-fascist party Fratelli d’Italia. “Congratulations to Giorgia Meloni on her appointment as Prime Minister, the first woman to hold this post,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted. “I am counting on constructive cooperation with the new government, in the face of the challenges that we must face together”.
Same story from the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. These reactions in chorus of the three main European institutions however contrasted with the deafening silence of the great European capitals like Berlin, Paris and Madrid. The very conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a pet peeve of Brussels, was one of the only European leaders to congratulate Giorgia Meloni, hailing “a great day for the European right”.
The European far right was also celebrating: “Across Europe, patriots are coming to power and with them, this Europe of nations that we are calling for,” rejoiced Marine Le Pen in France. “Here is the government team which, with pride and a sense of responsibility, will serve Italy. Now back to work,” Giorgia Meloni tweeted with the official government photo after “swearing to respect the Constitution and the laws.” The 45-year-old Roman, who won a historic victory in the September 25 legislative elections, succeeded in “de-demonizing” her post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia party to come to power exactly a century after Mussolini, of whom she was an admirer.