Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has found herself at a crucial crossroads as she is being courted by both centre-right and far-right forces ahead of June’s European elections. This has put her in the spotlight as a key player in shaping the future political path of the European Union. Meloni is being pursued by both Ursula von der Leyen of the centre-right and Marine Le Pen of the far-right, each hoping to secure her support for their respective political agendas.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right party Rassemblement National, is seeking to unite the European Parliament’s hard-right parties into a far-right supergroup by garnering the support of Meloni’s nationalist European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group. Euronews’ polling suggests that these two groups could potentially become the parliament’s second-biggest political force if unified, signaling a significant shift in the European political landscape.
On the other hand, Ursula von der Leyen, the lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), is also vying for Meloni’s backing to secure her second term at the helm of the European Commission. Von der Leyen has emphasized Meloni’s pro-EU and pro-Ukraine credentials, positioning her as a credible partner in Brussels. Meloni’s decision to align with either von der Leyen or Le Pen could have far-reaching consequences for her political influence in the EU.
Some analysts believe that Meloni can only choose to align with either von der Leyen or Le Pen, as both offer distinct political agendas and alliances. While von der Leyen has blacklisted Le Pen’s Rassemblement National for its pro-Russian stance, Le Pen’s party continues to lead in the polls and is looking to expand its influence in the European Parliament. Meloni’s strategic decision-making will determine the trajectory of the EU’s future political landscape.
Despite the differences between the centre-right and far-right forces, some experts suggest that Meloni could leverage her pragmatic approach to gain political clout by strategically responding to overtures from both von der Leyen and Le Pen. It is possible that Meloni could potentially form alliances with both factions, allowing her to wield influence in the European Parliament while supporting von der Leyen’s leadership of the Commission.
The recent expulsion of Alternative for Germany (AfD) members from Le Pen’s Identity and Democracy (ID) group has opened up the possibility of a right-wing reshuffle in the European Parliament. Le Pen is also exploring the option of joining forces with Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, which could further reshape the dynamics of the far-right political landscape in the EU. Meloni’s decision to align with either faction will determine her role in shaping the future of European politics.
As Meloni navigates the complex political landscape of the European Union, her decision to align with either the centre-right or far-right forces could have significant implications for the EU’s political direction. With both Ursula von der Leyen and Marine Le Pen courting her support, Meloni’s next move will shape the balance of power in the European Parliament and influence the future trajectory of EU politics.
