In the aftermath of the victory of the post-fascist party of Giorgia Meloni, Fratelli d’Italia, in the Italian legislative elections, reactions on Monday, September 26 oscillated between enthusiasm, calls for union and warnings about human rights.
Giorgia Meloni, who should become at 45 the first post-fascist leader of a founding country of Europe, wanted to reassure, both in Italy and abroad: “We will govern for all” the Italians, she promised. His assertion was not enough to reassure most Western states, which were content to record his election.
In Francethe Presidency of the Republic estimated that“As neighbors and friends, we must continue to work together”. “The Italian people have made a democratic and sovereign choice. We respect it”, added the Elysée. Earlier, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, had been more circumspect, declaring on the BFM-TV channel that France would be « attentive » au « respect » human rights and the right to abortion.
The European Commission hope she will have “constructive cooperation with the new Italian authorities”according to his spokesman Eric Mamer. “The Commission and its President work with the governments resulting from the elections of the countries of the European Union. It is no different in this case.”he said during a daily press conference of the European executive.
L’Germany expects Italy to stay “very favorable to Europe”government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner told reporters. “We assume that this will not change”, he added. A finance ministry spokesman said Berlin continued to expect Rome to respect European fiscal rules.
“Catastrophe” for the left
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Spanish José Manuel Albares, member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE, left), affirmed during a press breakfast that “populism always ends in disaster” and felt that this victory came at a time when “two models clash” in Europe, against the background of the war in Ukraine: “a model on which the Spanish government and many other countries in Europe are betting, which is that of European construction”, and one “another model, that of Vladimir Putin, an authoritarian model in which political forces in Europe find themselves”.
The presidential spokesperson RussianDmitri Peskov, timidly hailed the election of Mme Meloni, claiming that the Kremlin is “ready to salute any political force capable of overcoming the established mainstream full of hatred towards our country (…) and to be more constructive in relations with our country”.
The far right rejoices
With the exception of UNITED STATESincluding the head of diplomacy, Antony Blinken, calling Italy a“vital ally, [de] strong democracy and [de] valued partner » on Twittermost heads of state having enthusiastically welcomed the election of Mr.me Meloni are on the far right of the political spectrum.
The Prime Minister PolishMateusz Morawiecki and salué la “great victory” de Giorgia Meloni. “Great victory! Congratulation ! », exclaimed Mr Morawiecki on Facebook, using emojis to emphasize that the two countries would be strong together. An enthusiasm shared by the nationalist prime minister HungarianViktor Orban, who tweeted: “Well done, Giorgia! A well deserved victory. Congratulation ! ». “We need friends more than ever who share a common vision and approach to Europe”added its political director, MP Balazs Orban.
“The Italian people have decided to take their destiny into their own hands by electing a patriotic and sovereignist government”, tweeted the leader of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen. For the leader of the Spanish populist movement Vox, Santiago Abascal, Mme Melons “showed the way to a proud and free Europe of sovereign nations”estimate that “Millions of Europeans placed their hopes in Italy”.