Italy election: Auschwitz committee shocked after Meloni victory – “Alarming sign”

Created: 09/26/2022Updated: 09/26/2022 17:03

By: Florian Naumann, Patrick Mayer, Johanna Soll, Tim Vincent Dicke, Jan-Frederik Wendt, Lucas Maier

Italy's post-fascists celebrate a historic victory.

Orban congratulates, Scholz remains cautious, Putin gets caught up in contradictions: the news ticker for the election.

• Russia is reacting cautiously:

  Meloni is considered pro-Western in foreign policy and a supporter of NATO.

• Shift to the right in Italy:

  Parties in Germany worried.

• Election in Italy

  : Projections see radical right in front.

+++ 5 p.m .:

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he respects the “democratic decision” of the people of Italy.

“The Italian people made their democratic and sovereign choice.

We respect that," Macron said in a statement.

"As countries that are neighbors and friends, we must continue to work together." French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said France will keep an eye on abortion and human rights in Italy after Meloni's win.

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party, in a victory pose after the Italian elections.

© Gregorio Borgia/dpa

+++ 4.15 p.m .:

The International Auschwitz Committee was shocked by the election victory of the right-wing nationalists in Italy.

"The fact that Italian citizens believe promises made by far-right populists and invite Mussolini's self-proclaimed heirs to the table of the republic is also an alarming sign that the European idea is coming under increasing pressure," said Executive Vice-President Christoph Heubner, according to one Message.

+++ 3.30 p.m .:

election winner Giorgia Meloni wants Italy one, should she come to the country’s government.

“The Italians have entrusted us with an important task.

Now it will be our task not to disappoint them and to do our utmost to give the nation back its dignity and pride," wrote the leader of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party on Twitter.

"If we are called to govern, we will do so for all Italians, with the aim of uniting this people."

Italy election: Russia reacts cautiously to Meloni's victory

+++ 2.30 p.m .:

Russia

reacted cautiously to the election victory of Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia.

The elections are a "purely internal matter" for Italy, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

However, the Russian government welcomes all political forces "that are able to leave the framework of the established mainstream, which is characterized by hatred of Russia, and show more objectivity and constructiveness in relations with our country," Peskov said loudly According to the state news

.

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Meloni wins in Italy

Europe's right cheer

In terms of foreign policy, Meloni is considered pro-Western and a supporter of NATO.

She emphasizes her support for Russia's attacked Ukraine.

However, the victors in the elections in Italy also included pro-Russian forces.

Above all, Russia relies on those politicians in the EU who are campaigning for an end to Western sanctions against Moscow.

+++ 2 p.m .:

The federal government initially did not comment on the election victory of the right-wing camp in Italy on Monday.

Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner said in Berlin that the government would wait for the official result.

According to Büchner, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) would say at this point: "Italy is a very pro-Europe country with very pro-Europe citizens and we assume that this will not change."

Büchner said the federal government is not yet commenting because the election process is "not yet formally complete".

However, it is known how important cooperation in Europe and a united Europe is for the federal government.

"Of course, nothing has changed with this election," emphasized the deputy government spokesman.

+++ 1:00 p.m .:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Giorgia Meloni on the electoral success in Italy.

"Well done, Giorgia!

A more than deserved victory,” wrote the right-wing populist on his Facebook page on Monday.

Meloni's far-right Fratelli d'Italia was clearly the strongest party in the parliamentary elections on Monday, according to projections.

With a legal alliance, they also won the absolute majority of seats in the two chambers. 

Election in Italy: New rights and old friends - who will inherit Mario Draghi?

View photo gallery

Italy election: Post-Fascists under Meloni should be "blocked" in case of dispute EU money

+++ 11.45 a.m .:

The Greens politician Anton Hofreiter considers a political involvement of the future right-wing government in Italy by the EU to be possible.

"Italy is urgently dependent on the funds from Europe and that's why you have to make it clear: the moment you don't comply with the law, these funds will be blocked," said Hofreiter in an interview with the television station

.

Europe must not repeat Hungary's mistake of "watching far too long as right-wing populists attack the rule of law, an independent judiciary, freedom of the press and democracy".

If that is attempted in Italy, Europe must intervene immediately.

+++ 10.45 a.m .:

France reacted dividedly to the right-wing election victory in Italy.

"We will (...) ensure that human rights are respected, that those who think differently are respected, and that in particular the right to an abortion is respected," said Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday on BFM television.

French right-wing politicians, on the other hand, were pleased with the good performance of Giorgia Meloni's ultra-right party Fratelli d'Italia (FDI).

The far-right ex-presidential candidate Eric Zemmour recalled that four years ago Melonis party was still at four percent.

"We see this victory as proof that it is possible to come to power," he said on Monday.

"After Sweden, it is the second victory of a right-wing Union that unites the question of identity," he emphasized.

Italy election: parties in Germany worried about shift to the right

+++ 10.15 a.m .:

The clear victory of the right-wing camp in the parliamentary elections in Italy has raised concerns among parties in Germany about the future course of the country in Europe.

The deputy chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, Achim Post, spoke on Monday of a "bitter day for everyone who wants a strong and democratic Europe".

Green Party leader Omid Nouripour did not rule out weakening the EU sanctions policy against Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

Only the AfD welcomed the election victory of the right.

Nouripour called the outcome of the election "worrying".

In particular, among people within the right-wing national alliance, there are "very close ties with the Kremlin," said the Greens boss in the "early start" of

and

.

"That's why it's actually the case that you can't rule out that people in Moscow popped the corks last night."

The FDP Europe expert Alexander Graf Lambsdorff assumed that cooperation with Italy in the European Union would become more difficult.

However, election winner Giorgia Meloni has recently made more constructive comments about the joint sanctions against Russia, said Lambsdorff on

- "Morgenmagazin".

Former Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini and his Lega wanted to “drill holes in this package of sanctions”.

But Meloni "opposed it very clearly".

Italy election: AfD celebrates election victory of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia

+++ 8.55 a.m .:

The AfD celebrates the election victory of the right in Italy and already sees a shift to the right in Europe.

Party leader Alice Weidel congratulated the leader of the right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (FDI), Giorgia Meloni, on Monday.

Bundestag parliamentary group leader Beatrix von Storch wrote: "We celebrate with Italy!

Congratulations to the entire center-right alliance.” Weidel and von Storch also referred to the victory of the right-wing camp in mid-September in the parliamentary elections in Sweden. 

Italy election: Europeans worried about Meloni's election victory

+++ 6.30 a.m .:

On Sunday evening, Meloni and her “Italian brothers” tilted the country far to the right.

"This is a night of pride, of redemption, of tears, of hugs, of dreams, of memories," says the 45-year-old, who has been politically active since she was young, in her speech.

When this night is over, however, it must be clear "that this is not the goal, but the beginning".

And many Europeans are worried about what Giorgia Meloni and her fascist-rooted party, which sports a flame reminiscent of dictator Benito Mussolini, is planning for Italy.

Together with her alliance, which also includes the right-wing populist League and the conservative Forza Italia, the Roman woman will have a clear majority in parliament, according to the projections from the night.

Italy election: MEPs warn of right-wing Meloni

+++ 5.30 a.m .:

After the parliamentary elections in Italy, leading MEPs warn of a government led by the right-wing national party Giorgia Melonis.

"Giorgia Meloni will be a Prime Minister whose political role models are Viktor Orban and Donald Trump," said Katharina Barley (SPD), Vice-President of the European Parliament, the "world".

The election victory of the alliance of right-centre parties in Italy is therefore "worrying".

Meloni's "election tactical lip service to Europe" cannot hide the fact "that it poses a threat to constructive coexistence in Europe," Barley warned.

With her, the autocrats would get “a lobbyist in the Council, i.e. the representation of the 27 EU member states, to throw a spanner in the works of the EU”.

Italy election: Meloni and Fratelli d'Italia with historic victory

+++ 3:00 a.m .:

Georgia Meloni and her right-wing party Fratelli d'Italia (FDI) have given the right-wing camp in Italy a historic victory.

According to post-election polls, the FDI received around a quarter of all votes in Sunday's general election, making it the strongest force.

Together with her allies, the right-wing Lega and Forza Italia (FI), she could get up to 47 percent of the votes.

Meloni could thus become the first woman to head an Italian government.

Due to the complicated electoral system, the alliance of Melonis FDI, the Lega of ex-Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and the conservative Forza Italia of longtime Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi should get an absolute majority of the seats in both houses of parliament - in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

Italy election: official results expected later today

+++ 11.50 p.m .:

In Europe, many observers – including those in Brussels – are concerned about a possible victory for the right.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was asked by a student on Thursday whether she was worried about an election victory for the right and former Putin friends in Italy.

Salvini and Berlusconi caused a stir with doubts about sanctions against Russia and relativization of Vladimir Putin's responsibility for the Ukraine war.

Von der Leyen replied that if EU directives were violated, Brussels had "tools".

Italy election: Berlusconi wants to become a “director” – Salvini expects a change of government

+++ 6.30 p.m .:

The political right in Italy is confident of victory before the polling stations close at 11 p.m.

According to

, right-wing populist Matteo Salvini of the Lega announced: "I have the government in mind."

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said he wanted to be the "new director" of a government.

His party will get more than ten percent and take votes away from the Lega, he predicted.

Giorgia Meloni's post-fascist Fratelli d'Italia topped the latest polls on September 9th.

According to the institutes SWG and Ipsos, the party received 25 to 27 percent of the votes.

Update from Sunday, September 25, 7:34 a.m

.: The parliamentary elections have started in Italy.

The polling stations in the Mediterranean country opened at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning (September 25) and the composition of the new parliament can be voted on until 11 p.m.

A good 51.5 million Italians are called to vote.

First report from Saturday, September 24th:

Rome – The elections are imminent in Italy.

After the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Draghi in July 2022, the parliament will be re-elected on Sunday (25 September).

More than 51.5 million Italians are called upon to vote in the 2022 Italy elections.

With three million of them, it will be the first ballot.

The two chambers of Parliament are elected.

The voting is possible between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

The House of Representatives and the Senate are elected using a system of direct and proportional representation.

A third of the 200 seats in the Senate and the 400 in the Chamber of Deputies are occupied by direct elections in constituencies.

The remaining two-thirds are awarded based on the nationwide performance of the respective party, i.e. via proportional representation.

Election in Italy 2022: These are the candidates

According to experts, 90 percent of the direct mandates in the Italian elections in 2022 could go to the right-wing candidate Meloni.

• List of top candidates

• Giorgia Meloni:

  Fratelli d'Italia party

• Enrico Letta:

  Democratic Party

• Matteo Salvini:

  Lega party

• Silvio Berlusconi:

  Forza Italia

• Giuseppe Conte:

  Five Star Movement

Should it happen that around 90 percent of direct mandates are awarded to the political right, less than 50 percent would be enough for proportional representation.

It remains to be seen whether or not the predicted shift to the right will take place in Italy.

The first official results are expected for Monday (September 26).

(red with dpa/AFP)