Italy's far-right Giorgia Meloni emerges stronger from EU vote

Giorgia Meloni's far-right party won a decisive victory in European elections in Italy, unofficial results showed Monday — making her one of the few EU leaders to emerge stronger after the vote.

"Thank you!" the Italian prime minister posted on social media alongside a photo of her making a V-for victory.

Meloni's post-fascist Brothers of Italy party had secured 28.82 percent of the vote Monday with 97 percent of all votes counted — surpassing the 26 percent she secured in September 2022 national elections.

Meloni had pitched the weekend elections for the European Parliament as a referendum on her leadership, asking voters to write "Giorgia" on their ballots.

In brief remarks to the media around 2:00 am, Meloni said she was "extraordinarily proud" of the result, which comes just days before she hosts G7 leaders in Puglia.

"I am proud that this nation presents itself at the G7 and in Europe with the strongest government of all," she said.

The result is a remarkable reversal from 2019 European elections, when Meloni's then-marginal party secured just six percent of the vote.

By contrast it was a tough night for several of Meloni's fellow EU leaders, notably France's Emmanuel Macron, who called snap legislative elections after his centrist alliance was routed by Marine Le Pen's far right National Rally.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition also suffered a stinging defeat, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists were beaten by the right-wing Popular Party.

In Italy, the 49.69 percent voter participation rate was the country's lowest ever.

 'Political strength' 

All eyes will now be on what Meloni will do with her increased influence in Brussels.