As elections loom across the continent, Italy’s prime minister and the commission’s president are in a dubious alliance
Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni, right, speaks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, 17 April 17, 2024.Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni, right, speaks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, 17 April 17, 2024.t’s rare that an Italian prime minister tops the table in Europe.
Speaking at last week’s candidates’ debate, von der Leyen castigated parliament’s far-right Identity and Democracy group, which includes Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland , France’s National Rally and Italy’s League. Marine Le Pen, National Rally’s leader, has accused Meloni and von der Leyen of conspiring to secure the latter’s reappointment., Vladimir Putin, by parroting his “lies and propaganda”.
Little wonder that von der Leyen is tacking to the right. The German conservative has the support, albeit lukewarm, of parliament’s dominant, centre-right European People’s party. Critics accuse her ofover the pandemic, the Gaza war, alleged cronyism, – and of having a high-handed manner. While tipped to win in a thin field, she needs the impetus that Meloni, cresting a rightwing wave, can provide.
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