Meloni Votes Against von der Leyen

In a significant political development, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, Fratelli d’Italia, has voted against the re-election of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This decision came despite von der Leyen's tougher immigration stance and the announcement of a special commissioner for the Mediterranean, which many believed would garner Meloni's support. Carlo Fidanza, head of the Fratelli d’Italia delegation in the European Parliament, stated that the recent political choices and the left's consensus-seeking made it impossible for them to back von der Leyen. Political analysts suggest that this rejection represents a considerable setback for Meloni, undermining her national interests and political legitimacy. Lorenzo Castellani, a professor at LUISS Guido Carli University, noted that Italy is unlikely to secure a commissioner or vice-president with strong mandates, which Meloni had hoped for. This outcome not only diminishes her credibility but also pushes her party back into the radical right, aligning with Matteo Salvini and the Patriots for Europe, ultimately yielding little benefit for Italy. The implications of this vote extend beyond national politics, as it positions Italy on the margins of European decision-making. Critics, including Democratic Party MEP Alessandra Moretti, have expressed concern that Meloni's party is adopting a stance similar to that of Hungary's Viktor Orbán, which could tarnish Italy's reputation as a founding member of the EU. The situation highlights the challenges Meloni faces in balancing her party's radical elements with the broader European political landscape.