TIRANA, September 26 – Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy’s election, and is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Ms. Meloni is widely expected to form Italy’s most right-wing government since World War Two.
That will alarm much of Europe as Italy is the EU’s third-biggest economy.
However, speaking after the vote, Ms Meloni said her Brothers of Italy party would “govern for everyone” and would not betray people’s trust.
“Italians have sent a clear message in favour of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy,” she told reporters in Rome, holding up a sign saying “Thank you Italy”.
She is set to win 26% of the vote, based on provisional results, ahead of her closest rival Enrico Letta from the centre left. Mr. Letta told reporters on Monday that the far-right victory was a “sad day for Italy and Europe” but his party would provide a “strong and intransigent opposition”.
Near final results showed the rightist bloc, which also includes Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, should have a solid majority in both houses of parliament, potentially ending years of upheaval and fragile coalitions.
Brothers of Italy got 26 percent of the votes while the center- right coalition garnered 43.8 percent of the votes. The center- left coalition was far behind with 26.1 percent of the votes.
DP and FP greet victory of far-right leader Giorgia Meloni
There was support to the victory of the right –wing forces in Italy by the right-wing forces but also by the left-wing Freedom Party which is in opposition as an ally of Democratic Party (DP).
“In Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Mateo Salvini, Silvio Berlusconi, our traditional allies, won. Today, Italy is at a historic moment. Meloni, according to the vote of the Italian citizens, will be the next reforming prime minister of Italy,” said the chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.
The head of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, congratulated the coalition of the right in Italy, which won Sunday’s elections.
Meta wished success to the new government of the right-wing coalition, expressing determination for the further and all-round strengthening of relations between the two countries.
“Italy spoke clearly! Best wishes to Giorgia Meloni for a convincing victory together in the center-right coalition with Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi.
Wishing much success to the new government of Italy, our friend and important strategic partner, we are determined for the further and all-round strengthening of relations between our two countries and peoples,” said Meta in a post on social networks on Monday.
Socialist Party, the ruling left-wing party, has not reacted yet. /Argumentum.al
