The brothers of Italian leader Giorgia Maloney have claimed victory in a general election that looks set to see her become Italy’s first female prime minister, leading a far-right government since the fascist era of Benito Mussolini.
Addressing media and supporters Monday morning, Maloney said it was “a night of pride and a night of redemption for many people.”
“It’s a victory that I want to dedicate to everyone who is no longer with us and wants that night,” she said. “From tomorrow we have to show our worth… the Italians chose us, and we will not betray it, as we never had,” he said.
Preliminary results put a coalition of far-right parties, led by the Maloney Brothers Italia party, on track to win at least 44 percent of the vote, according to the Italian interior ministry.
With 63% of the vote counted, the ultra-conservative Brothers Italy party won at least 26%, with the coalition Partners League, led by Matteo Salvini, around 9% and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia on 8%. Scored more than Final results are expected later Monday, but the formation of a new government is expected to take weeks.
Meloni entered Italy’s crowded political scene in 2006 and in 2012 co-founded the Brothers of Italy, a party whose agenda is rooted in Euroscepticism and anti-immigration policies.
In the last election in 2018, the party won just 4.5% of the vote, but has grown in popularity in recent years, underscoring Italy’s long-standing rejection of mainstream politics, which the country recently has been seen with the support of anti-establishment parties. Star Movement and Salvini’s League.
Celebrating early results Sunday evening, Salvini said on Twitter, “Centre right in clear lead in both House and Senate! It’s going to be a long night, but I want to say thank you now.”
Maloney has differed with coalition leaders on Ukraine. While both Berlusconi and Salvini have said they want to review sanctions against Russia because of their impact on the Italian economy, Meloni has been steadfast in her support for defending Ukraine.
Maloni, a 45-year-old mother from Rome, is deeply conservative, openly anti-LBGT, and has threatened to put same-sex unions, which were legalized in Italy in 2016, under review. . He has also called abortion a “tragedy”, raising concerns for the future of women’s rights in the country.
Emiliana de Blasio, diversity and inclusion adviser at Rome’s LUISS University, told Maloney “isn’t raising all the questions about women’s rights and empowerment in general.”
Sunday’s results come as other far-right parties in other European countries have marked recent gains, including the rise of Sweden’s anti-immigration party, the Sweden Democrats — a party whose There are neo-Nazi roots — which are expected to play a major role in this. The new government after winning the second largest share of seats in the general election earlier this month.
And in France, while far-right ideologue Marine Le Pen lost the French presidential election to Emmanuel Macron in April, her share of the popular vote shifted the French political center dramatically to the right.
In a social media post early Monday, Maloney dedicated his expected win to “all the fighters, managers, supporters and everyone who — over the years — has contributed to making our dream come true.” Offered a spontaneous and selfless spirit and heart.”
He added: “We will not betray your trust. We are ready to lift Italy up.”
