Rome, Italy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right party secured the majority of votes and emerged victorious in the European parliamentary election, depicted the early trends on Monday (June 10).

Advertisment

"Thank you," Meloni said. "It seems that the Italian system is, so to speak, again, becoming a bipolar system. It's good news."

As per the projected forecasts based on the early count, Meloni's party Brothers of Italy polled 28 per cent of votes, demonstrating a sharp rise from its performance in the previous EU election in the year 2019 and also surpassing the 26 per cent she received during the September 2022 national elections, when the party rose to power.

Taking to her official X account, she thanked the voters as she posted a picture flashing the victory symbol.

Advertisment

×

The second in the list was the opposition centre-left Democratic Party, which secured 23.7 per cent with another opposition group, the 5-Star Movement, with 10.5 per cent.

The EU ballot showed that Meloni's ruling coalition, which comprised of parties that go on from the centre-right to the far right of the political scope, witnessed its support shoot up to over 46 per cent from less than 43 per cent in the year 2022.

Advertisment

"I think this vote is certainly going to strengthen the government," said Licia Ronzulli, a senator with the ruling coalition Forza Italia party.

Forza Italia, founded by the late Silvio Berlusconi, stood up fourth in the list as it secured 10 per cent.

Also read: PM Modi dials Italian counterpart Meloni, thanks her for invite to G7 Summit Outreach Session

Macron calls snap elections in France

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (Jun 9) announced that he was dissolving the parliament after the far-right defeated his centrist alliance in EU polls. Macron called snap legislative elections on June 30 and July 7.

Macron said that he can't pretend nothing has happened and that the outcome of the EU election is "not a good result for parties who defend Europe". He added the rise of nationalists was a danger for France and Europe. 

The National Rally (RN) party inflicted a heavy defeat on Macron's camp. It scored over double the number of votes of the head of state's centrist alliance, projections indicated. 

Projections published by several polling firms showed that the RN's list, led by Jordan Bardella, gained between 32.3 and 33 per cent of the vote compared with 14.8 to 15.2 per cent for Macron's alliance, which was led by his Renaissance party. 

"Far right parties... are progressing everywhere in the continent. It is a situation to which I cannot resign myself," Macron said. 

"I decided to give you the choice... Therefore I will dissolve the National Assembly tonight. 

"This decision is serious and heavy but it is an act of confidence. Confidence in you, dear compatriots, and in the capacity of the French people to make the best choice for itself and future generations." 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition also suffered a defeat as all three parties in his government are trailing the conservatives and the far right, according to preliminary results. 

(With inputs from agencies)