FAR-RIGHT VICTORY: ITALY'S PM GIORGIA MELONI'S PARTY SECURES MAJORITY IN EU ELECTIONS - VORAKA.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 10 June 2024 by Kelley Rose | www.vorakamag.com

Giorgia Meloni's far-right party, the Brothers of Italy, clinched a significant victory in the European Union elections, capturing 28% of the votes according to projections by state broadcaster RAI, based on nearly 70% of counted votes. This marks a notable surge from the 26% it secured in the 2022 general elections.

The triumph in the European Parliament elections bolsters Meloni's standing after her nearly two years in power, largely at the expense of her coalition partners. Matteo Salvini's hard-right League, which once held a dominant position with over 34% in the 2019 EU election, experienced a significant setback, garnering only 8.5% this time. Forza Italia, previously a minor ally, outperformed the League with over 9% of the votes.

The principal opposition, the center-left Democratic Party, received 24.5% of the vote, while the populist Five Star Movement saw a decline to 10.5%, down seven points from 2019.

Meloni's campaign, focused heavily on her personal image, has positioned her as a formidable presence in the EU arena. Far-right parties across Europe made substantial gains, dealing blows to leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Meloni, celebrating the outcome, expressed pride in her government's strength and dubbed the result "extraordinary," pledging to leverage it for future initiatives.

Despite widespread support, Meloni's conservative government faces significant hurdles, particularly in managing Italy's delicate public finances and crafting the 2025 budget. Giovanni Orsina, director of the school of government at LUISS University, observed that Meloni's government stands out in Europe for maintaining robust public backing.

Projections indicate that Meloni's party will secure between 23 to 25 seats in the European Parliament, a substantial increase from the six seats it held following the 2019 elections, marking a significant ascent from its prior status as a minor opposition force.