Italy election results: Meloni wins – how it could have happened

Created: 09/28/2022, 04:46

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

Italy's post-fascists celebrate a historic victory.

EPP boss Manfred Weber (CSU) wants to keep Italy on a “European course”: the news ticker for the election.

• Forza Italia:

  Berlusconi wants to guarantee a pro-European profile for the new government.

  
  
  

  Election in Italy

  : Absolute majority for radical right confirmed.

• EPP Group:

  Weber defends support for Berlusconi

+++ 8.30 p.m .:

According to the

, the high comes

Approval was granted because, according to the electoral law, around a third of the mandates in the House of Representatives and in the Senate are allocated in individual constituencies after the majority election, the remaining seats then after the proportional representation via state lists.

The right-wing parties formed an alliance early on and entered the race with a common candidate in each constituency.

The left had no chance against this with two or more challengers competing with each other in most individual constituencies.

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The Italian post-fascist Giorgia Meloni can expect a billion injection from Brussels shortly after her victory in the Italy election (results see update from 2:15 p.m.): The EU Commission provided Italy with a further 21 billion euros from the European Corona recovery fund in prospect.

This is once again "good news for Italy", emphasized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The outgoing government under Prime Minister Mario Draghi had applied for the tranche at the end of June.

Italy election results: right-wing camp with absolute majority in both chambers

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The legal camp led by the ultra-right party Fratelli d’Italia (FDI) secured, as expected, an absolute majority in both chambers of parliament in the Italy election.

It now holds 237 of the 400 seats in the House of Representatives and 115 of the 200 seats in the Senate – a clear majority in both houses of parliament.

The Social Democratic camp gets 84 seats in the House of Representatives and 44 seats in the Senate.

The populist Five Star Movement gets 52 MPs and 28 senators, the center party Azione gets 21 MPs and nine senators.

The remaining seats go to the smaller parties.

Italy election: Results of the legal camp

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Italy election: results of the social democratic camp

Italy election: more results

Italy election: will Salvini get nothing?

+++ 12.00 p.m .:

Two days after the Italian election, there is speculation as to who could get which ministerial post in the future government.

One of Giorgia Meloni's most prominent allies could go away empty-handed in the distribution of key posts: Lega boss Matteo Salvini.

At the very least, the head of the right-wing populist party is unlikely to be given back his former post as interior minister, as the daily newspapers

and

reported unanimously.

Meloni (left) and Salvini (right) in conversation.

© Massimo Di Vita / Imago Images

From Meloni's point of view, the Ministry of the Interior is therefore out of the question for Salvini, because he has to answer in court for deprivation of liberty and abuse of office in the case of the sea rescue ship "Open Arms".

President Sergio Mattarella may object,

reported .

The civil sea rescuers were not assigned a port to dock in August 2019 and were blocked off the Italian island of Lampedusa with up to 150 people on board.

From Salvini's point of view, Italy was not responsible at the time.

Instead of Salvini, his former office boss Matteo Piantedosi or the former prefect of Rome, Giuseppe Pecoraro, are now being discussed.

Italy election: Berlusconi rows back after Meloni's success

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The Italian ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi tried to reassure the country’s international partners after the radical right’s election success.

As a member of the European People's Party (EPP), his conservative Forza Italia party feels obliged to "guarantee the international profile, the pro-European profile and the transatlantic profile of the next government," Berlusconi said in a video message on Instagram.

"A good relationship with our historic allies in the United States and the key countries of the European Union is essential for Italy's future," added Berlusconi.

Forza Italia ran in the parliamentary elections in alliance with the far-right Fratelli d'Italia and the right-wing populist Lega.

In this constellation, she is striving for participation in the government.

However, Giorgia Meloni's EU-skeptical Fratelli, who were by far the strongest, should set the tone.

The election result was therefore received with concern in parts of Europe.

Given the election result (around 8 percent), Forza Italia's influence as a junior partner is likely to be limited.

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

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Italy election: Weber defends support for Berlusconi

Update from Tuesday, September 27, 8:30 a.m .:

The leader of the EPP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Manfred Weber (CSU), again defended his support for Silvio Berlusconi in the parliamentary elections in Italy on Monday evening (September 27).

Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia is a "pro-European force," Weber said on Monday evening in the ARD

.

Weber said he understood that CSU chairman Markus Söder was criticizing his stance and putting the accent "from a Bavarian, from a German point of view".

“I want us to keep Italy on course for Europe.

Hence my support for Forza," Weber said.

He gave the election winners in Rome a “leap of faith”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior in Rome has also confirmed the absolute majority of the right-wing alliance led by the radical party Fratelli d'Italia in the elections in Italy and the absolute majority of seats in both chambers of parliament, the

reports .

Italy election: absolute majority for right-wing alliance confirmed

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The legal alliance led by the radical party Fratelli d’Italia secured the absolute majority of seats in both chambers of parliament in the election in Italy.

This was confirmed by figures from the Ministry of the Interior on Monday evening.

The Fratelli, the right-wing populist Lega and the conservative Forza Italia together have 112 of the 200 seats in the Senate and 235 of the 400 in the Chamber of Deputies.

The head of the strongest single party Fratelli d'Italia, Giorgia Meloni, is likely to become prime minister in this constellation.

The alliance with left-wing parties and Greens led by the Social Democrats, on the other hand, has 39 senators and 80 MPs.

The Five Star Movement, which has been involved in each of the three governments since the last general election, has 28 senators and 51 MPs.

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There is also widespread concern about the shape of the relationship between a new Italian government and the European Union.

Compared to

, the scientific director of the Center for European Politics, Andrea de Petris, is optimistic: "Meloni knows very well: Economically, Italy is very dependent on European funds.

These will only continue to flow if certain reforms initiated by the Draghi government are continued.

That's why I personally don't expect such a big difference in relation to the EU”.

He continues: "If Meloni is smart, she will avoid representing a government that seeks a confrontation with the EU.

Of course, there are also some who think that the EU is more of a problem than an opportunity or a solution.

But Meloni sees very well what is currently happening with Poland and Hungary at EU level.

I think she will avoid getting into that kind of situation." 

Italy election: Conte congratulates Meloni

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Giuseppe Conte, chairman of the inferior 5-star movement, congratulated Giorgia Meloni on her election result.

Still, he added a warning: "We will defend our values ​​and constitutional principles."

He also commented on the disappointing performance of his party: "We are not celebrating, but are looking to the future with concern".

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Meanwhile, the losers of the election have started to work through: According to

, the head of the Social Democratic Democratic Party (PD), ex-Prime Minister Enrico Letta, announced his retirement on Monday.

His party received less than 20 percent of the votes, while the centre-left coalition of PD and other parties trailed far behind the right with around 26 percent.

The populist Five Star Movement (M5S) garnered about 15 percent of the vote, falling sharply from its best election result of more than 30 percent in 2018.

Italy election: Poland's President Duda calls criticism of the outcome of the election "arrogant"

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Poland’s President Andrzej Duda also spoke up about the outcome of the election in Italy and fired sharply against warning voices.

"How much superiority, arrogance and contempt for democratic rules does one have to have to say about the result of another country's election [...] 'The wrong person won!'" Duda wrote on Twitter on Monday .

According to

, leading politicians from Poland's national-conservative governing party PiS rated the outcome of the election as positive.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki congratulated Meloni on the "great victory" that night.

Meloni wins in Italy

Europe's right cheer

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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.

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

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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.

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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

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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

.

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.

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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 in time: "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.

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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. 

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

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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.

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

"We will (...) make sure 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 far-right politicians, on the other hand, were pleased with the good performance of Giorgia Meloni's ultra-right Fratelli d'Italia (FDI) party.

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

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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".

Especially 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 popped the corks in Moscow 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, Lambsdorff said 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

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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 Swedish parliamentary elections. 

Italy election: Europeans worried about Meloni's election victory

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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

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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" could not 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

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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 national 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

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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

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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.

He predicted that his party would get more than ten percent and take away votes from the Lega.

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 von Sonntag, 25. September, 7.34 Uhr: In Italien haben die Parlamentswahlen begonnen. Am Sonntagmorgen (25. September) um 7.00 Uhr öffneten die Wahllokale in dem Mittelmeerland, bis 23.00 Uhr kann über die Zusammensetzung des neuen Parlaments abgestimmt werden. Gut 51,5 Millionen Italienerinnen und Italiener sind zur Wahl aufgerufen.

Erstmeldung vom Samstag, 24. September: Rom – In Italien stehen die Wahlen kurz bevor. Nach dem Rücktritt von Ministerpräsident Mario Draghi im Juli 2022 wird am Sonntag (25. September) das Parlament neu gewählt.

Zur Stimmabgabe bei der Italien-Wahl 2022 sind mehr als 51,5 Millionen Italienerinnen und Italiener aufgerufen. Bei drei Millionen von ihnen wird es der erste Urnengang sein. Es werden jeweils die beiden Kammern des Parlaments gewählt. Der Urnengang ist zwischen 7.00 Uhr und 23.00 Uhr möglich.

Das Abgeordnetenhaus und der Senat werden über ein Wahlsystem aus Direkt- und Verhältniswahl gewählt. Von den 200 Plätzen im Senat und den 400 im Abgeordnetenhau, wird jeweils ein Drittel über eine Direktwahl in Wahlkreisen besetzt. Die restlichen zwei Drittel werden über das landesweite Abschneiden der jeweiligen Partei, also über eine Verhältniswahl, vergeben.

Wahl in Italien 2022: Das sind die Kandidatinnen und Kandidaten

Die Direktmandate bei der Italien-Wahl 2022 könnten wohl zu 90 Prozent an die rechte Kandidatin Meloni gehen, so die Einschätzung von Expertinnen und Experten.

• Liste der Spitzenkandidatinnen und Kandidaten
• Giorgia Meloni: Partei Fratelli d’Italia
• Enrico Letta: Demokratische Partei
• Matteo Salvini: Lega Partei
• Silvio Berlusconi: Forza Italia
• Giuseppe Conte: Fünf-Sterne-Bewegung

Sollte es dazu kommen, dass rund 90 Prozent der Direktmandate an die politischen Rechten vergeben werden, würden ihnen weniger als 50 Prozent bei der Verhältniswahl reichen. Ob es in Italien zu dem prognostizierten Rechtsruck kommen wird oder nicht, bleibt abzuwarten. Erste amtliche Ergebnisse werde für Montag (26. September) erwartet. (red mit dpa/AFP)