Italy was the first major nation to vote for the EU’s next parliament on Saturday, marking a crucial test for far-right leader Giorgia Meloni’s influence in the bloc.
Most of the European Union’s member countries will go to the polls on Sunday, with overall results expected late that evening.
The two-day voting in Italy, the EU’s third-largest economy, with 76 seats in the new parliament, could have significant implications.
Giorgia Meloni cast her vote in Rome and stated that the EU elections will shape the next five years.
Polls show Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party could win 27 percent of the vote, more than quadrupling its previous score in 2019.
Various Italians had different reasons for voting, with concerns over EU policies on the environment and hopes for progressive youth representation being some of the factors.
A potential victory for Meloni could position her as a key player in deciding the fate of EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s second term.
While she has been courted by other political leaders, an anonymous European diplomat cautioned against overestimating her influence.
– Alliances –
Immigration and far-right support are key issues in the EU elections, with concerns over irregular migrants driving support to these parties.
The bigger question is whether the main parliamentary grouping, von der Leyen’s EPP, will form alliances with the far-right.
Efforts to work with far-right lawmakers have been met with caution, with specific criteria in place to prevent aligning with certain parties.
– Slovakia shaken –
Slovakia, also voting on the same day, has been shaken by recent events, including an assassination attempt on premier Robert Fico.
Voters have shown support for Fico’s camp in the aftermath of the incident, emphasizing national interests over EU influence.
Fico’s party opposes EU military support to Ukraine against Russia, reflecting a wider sentiment against involvement in foreign conflicts.
The elections in Italy and Slovakia are crucial in shaping the future of the EU and the political landscape within the bloc.
