Far-right Lega leader and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has already rejected running in the upcoming EU elections, though things remain up in the air for the other two party leaders in the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
The Italian government’s leaders must soon decide whether or not to run in the upcoming EU elections while the Lega secretary has already ruled himself out.
“I will not run in the European elections. I will continue to be a minister”, said Salvini, nipping in the bud internal doubts within the ruling centre-right coalition.
Tajani, leader of the other minority ally in the ruling coalition, has already said that he does not believe leaders should stand for election.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d’Italia/ECR), for her part, appears to be leaning towards running herself to ensure a resounding victory.
The risk for the minority allies is that Meloni’s party could siphon them off and tip the balance in the coalition.
Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia already won more than three times as many votes as Salvini and Tajani in the 2022 general election, but a further increase in consensus could reshuffle the cards.
The party most at risk is Forza Italia, particularly as it has lost its appeal following the death of its founder and leader, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and whose secretary Tajani, will have to make a considerable effort to avoid a shift of votes in favour of the allies.
“The question is premature (…) The choice will have to be a joint one. If you decide to lead the lists, you have to do it together to give more strength to the centre-right. We need to reflect well because there is a risk that we will be less committed to the government of the country,” said Tajani.
Salvini, thirsty for consensus, would like to nominate General Roberto Vannacci, who has recently been the protagonist of a media storm after the publication of his book – “The World in Reverse” – sold out on Amazon but was much criticised for statements considered racist and homophobic.
“Thank you for the thought and for the trust, I will evaluate it with a cool head,” commented Vannacci, who might just give in for the sake of a safe seat.
The same problem is faced by the opposition parties, with Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party (S&D), wanting to stand in all constituencies but facing resistance from within the party, which wants more space for local political personalities.
“Meloni has clarified that she wants to stand in the European elections. She wants to do it not to change Europe, but to make a national test of herself and her party,” argued the Italia Viva leader and former prime minister Matteo Renzi (Renew), who now is running for a seat in Brussels.
“The premier’s choice will have many consequences: Salvini has already slipped out because he knows that, compared to the electoral successes of 2019, the preference race would have been a disaster for him this year”, Renzi commented.
(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)
Read more with Euractiv
Bulgarian defence minister travels to US ahead of key military dealBulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev is heading to the US for a five-day trip to meet members of key defence institutions and take stock of the progress on the many deals Bulgaria has signed with US companies with a view of modernising its army, as well as the forthcoming deal on new 3D radars, Tagarev announced on Tuesday.
Source: euractiv.com
