Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party won the majority of the vote and won the European Parliament elections with 28% of the vote. Projections by state broadcaster RAI, based on almost 70% of votes counted, suggest an increase in support for Meloni’s party from the 26% it won in the 2022 general election.
This victory in the European Parliament elections strengthens Meloni’s position after almost two years in power, mainly at the expense of her coalition partners. Matteo Salvini’s hard-right League, once dominant with more than 34% in the 2019 EU elections, saw a significant decline, winning just 8.5%. Forza Italia, formerly a junior ally, outperformed the League by more than 9%.
The main opposition, the center-left Democratic Party, won 24.5%, while the populist Five Star Movement fell to 10.5%, a seven-point drop from 2019.
A far-right party campaign
Meloni’s campaign, heavily focused on her personal ‘brand’, made her a formidable figure in the EU. Far-right parties across Europe have made significant gains, dealing blows to key leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Celebrating the results, Meloni expressed pride in the strength of her government, calling the result “extraordinary” and vowing to use it for future initiatives.
Also Read
- Narendra Modi sworn in for third term as prime minister of India
- Air India aims to double transit international traffic in 5-10 years
Despite widespread support, Meloni’s conservative government faces significant challenges, particularly managing Italy’s fragile public finances and preparing the 2025 budget. Giovanni Orsina, director of the School of Government at LUISS University, noted that Meloni’s government stands out in Europe by maintaining strong public support.
Forecasts suggest that Meloni’s party will secure between 23 and 25 seats in the European Parliament, a substantial increase from the six seats it held after the 2019 elections, marking a significant rise from its previous status as a minor opposition party.
