ROME (Reuters) – Giorgia Meloni looks set to become Italy’s first woman prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government since World War Two after leading a conservative alliance to triumph at Sunday’s election.
Following is some of the initial reaction.
International reaction:
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Facebook:
“Bravo, Giorgia!”
European Commission spokesman, Eric Mamer:
“The Commission and the president [Ursula von der Leyen] work with the governments that emerge from the ballot box in European Union countries. It will not be different in this case. Of course, we hope to have a constructive cooperation with the new Italian authorities”.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, to RMC Radio:
“I do not want to comment on the democratic choice of the Italian people and it is now the [Italian] president’s job to appoint a prime minister.”
“In Europe, we have certain values and, obviously, we will be vigilant” (citing human rights and access to abortion in particular).
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally party, on Twitter:
“The Italian people has decided to take its destiny in hand by electing a patriotic and sovereignist government.
Congratulations to Giorgia Meloni and [League leader] Matteo Salvini for having resisted the threats of an anti-democratic and arrogant European Union by winning this great victory.”
Santiago Abascal, leader of Spanish hard-right opposition party Vox, on Twitter:
“Giorgia Meloni has shown the way for a proud, free Europe of sovereign nations to be able to cooperate for the security and prosperity of all.”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Facebook:
“Great victory! Congratulations!”
Iratxe Garcia Perez, president of the Socialist group in European Parliament, on Twitter:
“Meloni’s post-fascism comes to Italy hand in hand and in alliance with EPP’s Forza Italia and ID’s Lega. Dark day for Italy and for Europe. Partito Democratico will lead the opposition and we stand by them!”
Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, on Twitter:
“Italy’s new Prime Minister stands for God, Fatherland and Family. She is the first woman in this post in Italy. Well done @GiorgiaMeloni”.
Domestic reaction:
Giorgia Meloni, in a Facebook post showing her holding the national flag:
“Italians have given us an important responsibility. It will now be our task not to disappoint them and do our utmost to restore dignity and pride to the Nation.”
Enrico Letta, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, in a news conference in which he announced plans to step down.
“Italian men and women have chosen, it was a clear, stark choice: Italy will have a right-wing government. The trend that emerged two weeks ago in Sweden is today also confirmed in Italy. Today is a sad day for Italy and Europe, tough days are ahead of us.”
Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister and leader of the conserative Forza Italia party, on Instagram:
“Forza Italia is confirmed as decisive for the victory of the centre-right and for the formation of the new government. Once again, I have put my commitment at the service of Italy, the country I love. Thank you for the trust.”
Carlo Calenda, leader of centrist Azione party, on Facebook:
“Italians have chosen to give a solid majority to the sovereignist right. We consider this a dangerous and uncertain prospect. We’ll see if Meloni will be capable of governing; we will be a tough but constructive opposition.”
Damiano David, lead singer of the Maneskin rock band, in an Instagram story:
“Today is a sad day for my country” (with a picture of La Repubblica’s front page headline saying, “Meloni takes Italy”).
(Compiled by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Keith Weir)
