Initial results indicate that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party received the most votes in this weekend’s European parliamentary election, enhancing her domestic and international influence.
Early projections indicated that Brothers of Italy secured 28.3% of the vote, a significant increase from their performance in the 2019 EU election and surpassing the 26% they achieved in the 2022 national elections, which brought them to power.
“THANK YOU!” Meloni said on her X social media account, above a photograph of her flashing the victory symbol.
GRAZIE! 🇮🇹@FratellidItalia si conferma primo partito italiano, superando il risultato delle scorse elezioni politiche. pic.twitter.com/uYHHm4Nm6S
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 9, 2024
The center-left Democratic Party, the main opposition, secured second place with 23.7%. In contrast, the 5-Star Movement, another opposition party, came in third with 10.5%, marking its poorest performance nationwide since its inception in 2009. The EU election results showed an increase in support for Meloni’s ruling coalition, which includes parties ranging from center-right to far-right, rising to over 46% from just under 43% in 2022.
Licia Ronzulli, a senator with the ruling coalition Forza Italia party said, “I think this vote is certainly going to strengthen the government.”
Meloni’s party, rooted in neo-fascism, set the tone for far-right gains across Europe with her 2022 victory. This EU ballot also saw the continent swing right. However, Meloni has moderated her image internationally, shedding anti-EU rhetoric and positioning herself as a bridge between the mainstream center-right and her previously shunned national conservative camp.
Her strong showing on Sunday contrasted with setbacks for French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz, whose parties were routed. Meloni’s lawmakers could be crucial if she backs center-right European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, giving Rome leverage over the new EU executive.
Despite Sunday being a major victory for Meloni, it also marked a significant achievement for her primary rival, Elly Schlein. Schlein, who took over the center-left PD party in 2023 and has faced challenges in asserting control over the old guard, was keen to surpass the 19% vote share the PD achieved in 2022.
The Green and Left Alliance did well, winning around 6.8%, making Ilaria Salis, an Italian activist detained in Hungary for over a year, an EU lawmaker. Turnout disappointed all parties, with initial data suggesting it was just below 50%, a record low for the country.