Giorgia Meloni, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party, made a significant speech in Pescara during a conference that marked a key moment in the run-up to the European elections in June. Meloni’s announcement that voters should use just her first name on their ballots, signaling a move aimed at conveying her image as a leader with working-class roots. She emphasized her conservative leadership in Europe and her EU goals, highlighting the increased support for her party since the last European elections in 2019. Meloni expressed her ambitions to extend her party’s achievements in Italy to the rest of Europe by creating a majority that brings together center-right forces and sends the left into opposition.
During her speech, Meloni outlined her vision for Europe, aiming to create alliances based on issues rather than ideals. ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini explained that Meloni sees the ECR and the EPP as the two main axes in her efforts to form a majority that includes center-right forces. He mentioned that some delegations from the right-wing ID camp and Renew Europe would also contribute to reaching the required majority. Procaccini emphasized that the idea of a majority in the European Parliament is not fixed and that finding common ground with other political forces is possible. He expressed his belief that the balance within the next European Parliament will shift toward the right, as evidenced by current voting patterns aligning EPP, ECR, PiS, and Fidesz.
The strategy of sending the left into opposition involves giving the EPP the opportunity to break the bond it has with socialists and greens, according to Brothers of Italy MP Sara Kelany. This approach aims to shift the balance of power within the European Parliament by forming alliances based on shared issues rather than fixed ideologies. Kelany highlighted that the cooperation among EPP, ECR, PiS, and Fidesz in current votes is not based on formal agreements but on the issues being voted on. This flexible approach to forming majorities indicates a potential shift towards a more right-leaning European Parliament, which could impact future policymaking.
Meloni’s call for voters to use her first name on the ballots has generated criticism, with some questioning the decision’s legality. However, the move aligns with her image as a leader who connects with the working class and emphasizes her roots in Rome’s Garbatella district. By positioning herself as a relatable figure, Meloni seeks to garner support for her party both in Italy and across Europe. Her emphasis on achieving success in Italy and replicating it on a European scale reflects her ambition to lead a center-right majority that can shape policies and marginalize left-wing forces within the European Parliament.
Overall, Giorgia Meloni’s speech in Pescara signals a strategic approach to forming alliances and shaping the political landscape in Europe. By focusing on creating majorities based on shared issues and leveraging existing voting patterns, she aims to strengthen the position of center-right forces and push the left into opposition. The upcoming European elections will be crucial in determining the balance of power within the European Parliament and shaping the direction of EU policies in the coming years.
