- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative Brothers of Italy party emerged victorious in the recent European parliamentary election, marking a significant shift in Italy’s political landscape.
- Meloni expressed her gratitude on her social media platform, X, flashing the victory symbol alongside a message of thanks.
- The opposition Democratic Party trailed behind in second place with 23.7%, while the once-prominent 5-Star Movement experienced its worst securing only 10.5% of the vote.
- Meloni’s triumph reflects a broader trend of right-wing gains across Europe, with her party’s roots tracing back to a neo-fascist group.
- The victory not only solidifies Meloni’s position but also presents her with newfound leverage on the European stage.
- However, despite the electoral victories, all parties faced disappointment over the record-low voter turnout, which fell below 50%.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative Brothers of Italy party emerged victorious in the recent European parliamentary election, marking a significant shift in Italy’s political landscape. Initial results revealed that Meloni’s arch-conservative group secured the most votes, bolstering her influence both domestically and internationally.
Projected forecasts based on early counts indicated that Brothers of Italy clinched 28.3% of the vote, a remarkable surge compared to previous elections. Meloni expressed her gratitude on her social media platform, X, flashing the victory symbol alongside a message of thanks.
The opposition Democratic Party trailed behind in second place with 23.7%, while the once-prominent 5-Star Movement experienced its worst showing since its inception in 2009, securing only 10.5% of the vote.
The election results signaled a strengthening of Meloni’s ruling coalition, comprising parties spanning from the center-right to the far-right of the political spectrum. The coalition’s support surged to over 46%, reflecting a significant increase from previous years.
Meloni’s triumph reflects a broader trend of right-wing gains across Europe, with her party’s roots tracing back to a neo-fascist group. However, Meloni has strategically moderated her image on the international stage, positioning herself as a bridge between the mainstream center-right and her own national conservative camp.
The victory not only solidifies Meloni’s position but also presents her with newfound leverage on the European stage. Her party’s lawmakers could play a decisive role in endorsing the center-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, potentially granting Italy considerable influence over the new EU executive.
While Meloni celebrated her success, her main opponent, Elly Schlein of the center-left PD party, also made significant gains. Despite internal struggles within the party, Schlein’s leadership secured a notable 19% of the vote, signaling a resilient opposition.
Additionally, the hard-left Green and Left Alliance performed well, capturing approximately 6.8% of the vote. This victory propelled Italian activist Ilaria Salis, detained in Hungary for over a year, into the role of an EU lawmaker.
However, despite the electoral victories, all parties faced disappointment over the record-low voter turnout, which fell below 50%. This decline in participation underscores the challenges in engaging Italian voters and maintaining strong democratic participation.
Looking ahead, Meloni’s triumph sets the stage for a recalibration of Italy’s political dynamics. With her party’s surge in support, Meloni’s influence is poised to extend beyond national borders, reshaping the narrative of European politics and consolidating her position as a formidable force in the continent’s conservative movement.
(With inputs from agencies)
