Europe’s right wing cheers Meloni’s Italy win as others look on nervously – POLITICO

The European right applauds the announced victory of Giorgia Meloni in the Italian elections. Everyone else anxiously watches what happens next.

Meloni is expected to lead Italy’s most right-wing government since Benito Mussolini after the coalition led by his Italian Brotherhood party won around 44% of the vote on Sunday.

On Monday morning, leading European politicians began reacting to Italy’s seismic outcome.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne did not comment directly, but stressed the importance for European governments to respect democratic values, in remarks that could aggravate the new leadership in Rome.

speaking on french radioBorne said: « What the President of the Commission is saying is that in Europe we have a number of values ​​and obviously we will be attentive […] to the fact that these values ​​on human rights, on respect for others, in particular respect for the right to abortion, are respected by all.

She added that von der Leyen was “in his right” to recall that “in Europe, we have values. Each state must be in tune with these values, on the rule of law, on human rights, on respect for the right to abortion.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares of the Socialist Party took a tougher line and said « populism always ends in disaster ».

“It is a moment of uncertainty and in moments of uncertainty populisms always gain importance and always end the same way: in disaster,” he added. Told the Spanish press.

Right-wing politicians, on the other hand, hailed Meloni’s victory. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieckiwho has been at loggerheads with Brussels, congratulated Meloni.

Balázs Orbán, a close associate of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, tweeted his congratulations to Meloni, Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, whose parties are about to form a right-wing alliance at the top of the Italian government: « In these difficult times, we need friends who share a vision and a common approach to European challenges. »

The remarks come after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned of Italy’s potential rightward turn last week, saying the EU would be ready to work with democratic governments and she would have tools she could use if « things went in a difficult direction ». in Hungary and Poland. This was a clear reference to the Commission’s ability to cut funds to EU governments when they are deemed to violate rule of law principles.

French far-right politicians Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Penboth defeated in the presidential election last spring, applauded Meloni’s victory, praising the decision of the Italian people.

Zemmour Underline The Swedish election last week, where the right-wing parties emerged victorious: « From Sweden to Italy, we have been experiencing in recent weeks the second union of the victorious right in Europe, whose cement is indeed the question of identity .

In Spain, the far-right party Vox concluded that Meloni’s victory showed « the way to a new Europe of free and sovereign nations ».

Elena Giordano contributed reporting.