Italy's head of government wants to send the left into opposition.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wants to run in EU parliamentary elections in June as the top candidate of her ruling party “Fratelli d'Italia” (FdI – Brothers of Italy). “I have decided to lead the FDI in all five Italian electoral districts,” Meloni announced on Sunday at a party event in the Adriatic city of Pescara titled “Italy is changing Europe”.
“I want to ask if the Italian voters are satisfied with our work. If they are, I ask them to vote and put my name on the ballot,” Meloni said to applause from his party supporters.
“I am the leader of the European conservatives and I want them to play a decisive role in Europe. Whoever votes for the FdI will strengthen Italy and our government in Europe even more. I consider myself a soldier, the first to fight when a soldier is needed,” the 47-year-old said.
Revolution in European politics
Meloni expressed hope that his candidacy would increase his party's representation in the EU Parliament. “This means we can provide more support to Italy's projects in Europe,” the head of government explained. Their goal is to build a center-right majority in Strasbourg, following Rome's example.
“We want to end the unnatural alliance between Left and Center parties. We want to bring the Italian model of center-right coalition to Europe. That would be a revolution in European politics: the conservatives would also have to become strategic in Europe. Our goal is to send the Left to the opposition. “It's a big challenge, but we can do it,” the Italian prime minister said.
Meloni defended the achievements of his government, which will take office from October 2022, including supporting Ukraine, fighting illegal immigration and promoting economic growth. “If today the European Union is primarily talking about securing external borders, deportations and strict rules for NGOs, thanks to what Italy has done with this government in these one and a half years,” explained Meloni. (APA)
European Union elections
Austria will elect its members to the EU Parliament on June 9. Campaign groups/main candidates: Reinhold Lopatka (ÖVP), Andreas Scheider (SPÖ), Harald Wilimski (FPÖ), Lena Schilling (Greens), Helmut Brandstätter (Neos), Maria Habmer-Möck (DNA) and Günther Hopgartner (Kopgartner).
