In the midst of the election campaign for the European Parliament, Fratelli d’Italia and Giorgia Meloni find themselves having to defuse two potential time bombs. The first is a political bomb, related to the electoral competition of Matteo Salvini, who is aiming to gain support from the right in order to maintain his leadership of the League. Salvini’s goal is to bring the League to double-digit percentages in the European Parliament elections. There is a sense of competition with the government partners, as seen in a meeting of Identità e Democrazia leaders in Rome, where Salvini indirectly criticized Meloni through a video message from Marine Le Pen.
For Meloni, who is the President of the European Conservatives, it is challenging to justify a possible alliance that could shift European governance to the right, while still having Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. This is particularly difficult to explain to the conservative electorate of Fratelli d’Italia. However, the more concerning bomb is a legal one, involving one of her ministers, Daniela Santanché. The party leaders hope that Santanché will step down as Minister of Tourism due to various legal issues, but her statement that she will only consider resigning after a court decision adds uncertainty to the situation.
The uncertainty surrounding Santanché’s legal issues has caused concern among the leadership of Fratelli d’Italia, as her decision may not come before the beginning of May, leaving room for a potentially damaging election campaign overshadowed by the Santanché case. The effects of this situation are already being felt within the party, adding further complexity to an already tense election period.
Salvini’s competitive drive to gain support from the right is evident in his efforts to secure a strong position for the League in the European elections. His goal of reaching double-digit percentages reflects his determination to maintain his leadership within the party. The tensions between Salvini and his government partners, including Meloni, are further exacerbated by strategic moves within the right-wing political landscape.
The political dynamics within Fratelli d’Italia and the broader right-wing alliance are influenced by both political and legal considerations. The need to navigate these challenges amidst the election campaign adds a layer of complexity to the already competitive environment. The decisions and actions of key figures within the party, such as Meloni and Santanché, will play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the European Parliament elections and the future direction of the right-wing political landscape in Italy.
