ROME. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s arch-conservative Brothers of Italy party achieved a significant victory in the European parliamentary elections over the weekend, bolstering her influence both domestically and internationally.
With nearly all ballots counted, Brothers of Italy secured 28.8% of the vote, a substantial increase from its performance in the 2019 European Union election and surpassing the 26% it achieved in the 2022 national elections, when it first rose to power.
“I am proud that Italy will present itself to the G7, to Europe with the strongest government of all. This is something that has not happened in the past but is happening today, it is a satisfaction and also a great responsibility,” Meloni stated early Monday from the party’s headquarters.
The opposition centre-left Democratic Party finished second with 24% of the vote, while the 5-Star Movement, another opposition group, came in third with 9.9%, marking its worst performance at a national level since its inception in 2009.
The EU ballot revealed that Meloni’s ruling coalition, which includes parties spanning from the centre-right to the far-right of the political spectrum, increased its support to over 47% from just under 43% in 2022.
“The results weren’t at all given, it is a resounding achievement and shows that all the parties of the majority have been able to grow together,” Meloni remarked later in the morning on RTL 102.5 Radio. “It’s a spur for (the government) to move forward. Italians are giving us a loud and clear message to go ahead with our work … and if possible with greater determination.”
Forza Italia, founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, ranked fourth with 9.7% of the vote, surpassing the anti-immigrant League, which received 9.1%. This result was a setback for League leader Matteo Salvini, who has steered his party towards a harder right stance, causing friction with its traditional base. Highlighting internal tensions within the League, party founder Umberto Bossi voted for Forza Italia this election, his allies informed Italian media, sending a shockwave through the party.
Meloni’s party, rooted in a neo-fascist group, has seen a meteoric rise, with her 2022 victory paving the way for far-right gains across Europe, as demonstrated in the latest EU elections. However, Meloni has softened her international image, moving away from her previous anti-EU rhetoric and positioning herself as a bridge between the mainstream centre-right and her national conservative camp. Her recent electoral success contrasts sharply with the setbacks experienced by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose parties faced significant defeats.
During a radio interview, Meloni mentioned it was premature to decide on backing a second term for centre-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. However, her group’s support could be crucial, potentially giving Rome substantial leverage in shaping the new EU executive. “What we need is a Europe that will listen to citizens, that will look more to the centre-right and has more pragmatic and less ideological policies,” Meloni emphasized, adding that Italy would play a fundamental role given the election results.
The election also marked a victory for Meloni’s main opponent, Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party since 2023, who managed to solidify her position. The Democratic Party increased its vote share from 19% in 2022. The hard-left Green and Left Alliance captured around 6.7% of the vote, securing a seat for Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist who had been detained in Hungary for allegedly assaulting far-right militants. Despite the political victories, voter turnout was a disappointment, dipping just below 50%, a record low for a country with historically high voter participation.
