Editor's Pick: Italy tilts right as voters line up behind Giorgia Meloni’s party

In a big swing to the right, Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has won the most votes in Italy’s national election, setting the stage on Monday to create the country’s first far-right-led government since the Second World War with Italy’s first woman Premier. Italy’s lurch to the far right immediately shifted Europe’s geopolitics, placing the eurosceptic Brothers of Italy in position to lead a founding member of the European Union. Right-wing leaders across Europe hailed the 45-year-old Ms. Meloni’s victory. Near-final results on Monday showed the right-wing coalition netting 44% of the parliamentary vote, with Ms. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy snatching 26% in its biggest win. Ms. Meloni’s coalition partners - the anti-immigrant League party led by Matteo Salvini won 9% and the Forza Italia of ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi took around 8% of the vote. Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, which won most number of votes in Sunday’s national election, traces its origins to the postwar, neo-fascist Italian Social Movement. “If we are called to govern this nation, we will do it for everyone. We will do it for all Italians and we will do it with the aim of uniting the people,” Ms. Meloni said. “Italy chose us. We will not betray it.” Turnout was a historic low of 64%. Pollsters suggested voters stayed home in protest, disenchanted by the backroom deals that had created the last three governments and the mash-up of parties in Premier Mario Draghi’s outgoing national unity government. While the right-wing coalition, which includes Matteo Salvini’s League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, was the clear winner, the formation of a government is still weeks away and will involve consultations among party leaders and with President Sergio Mattarella. The election, which took place six months early after Mr. Draghi’s government collapsed, came at a crucial time for Europe as it faces Russia’s war in Ukraine and the related soaring energy costs that have hit ordinary Italians as well as industry. A Ms. Meloni-led government is largely expected to follow Italy’s current foreign policy, including her pro-NATO stance and strong support for supplying Ukraine with weapons, inspite of both her allies Mr. Berlusconi and Mr. Salvini having ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. While both have distanced themselves from his invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Salvini has warned that EU sanctions against Moscow are hurting Italian industry. The Hindu’s Editorials Home and abroad: On India’s role as a bridge between polarised nations Turning inward: On the rise of far-right parties in Europe The Hindu’s Daily Quiz In cricket, what is the name given to the practice of a batter being run out by the bowler while backing up too far from the non-striking end? Bodylining Mankading Browning Dilscooping To know the answer and to take the quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 27 SEPTEMBER 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Italy tilts right as voters line up behind Giorgia Meloni’s party In a big swing to the right, Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party [has won the most votes]( Italy’s national election, setting the stage on Monday to create the country’s first far-right-led government since the Second World War with Italy’s first woman Premier. Italy’s[lurch to the far right]( immediately shifted Europe’s geopolitics, placing the eurosceptic Brothers of Italy in position to lead a founding member of the European Union. Right-wing leaders across Europe hailed the 45-year-old Ms. Meloni’s victory. Near-final results on Monday showed the right-wing coalition netting 44% of the parliamentary vote, with Ms. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy snatching 26% in its biggest win. Ms. Meloni’s coalition partners - the anti-immigrant League party led by Matteo Salvini won 9% and the Forza Italia of ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi took around 8% of the vote. Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, which won most number of votes in [Sunday’s national election]( traces its origins to the postwar, neo-fascist Italian Social Movement. “If we are called to govern this nation, we will do it for everyone. We will do it for all Italians and we will do it with the aim of uniting the people,” Ms. Meloni said. “Italy chose us. We will not betray it.” Turnout was a historic low of 64%. Pollsters suggested voters stayed home in protest, disenchanted by the backroom deals that had created the last three governments and the mash-up of parties in Premier Mario Draghi’s outgoing national unity government. While the right-wing coalition, which includes Matteo Salvini’s League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, was the clear winner, the formation of a government is still weeks away and will involve consultations among party leaders and with President Sergio Mattarella. The election, which took place six months early after Mr. Draghi’s government collapsed, came at a crucial time for Europe as it faces Russia’s war in Ukraine and the related soaring energy costs that have hit ordinary Italians as well as industry. A Ms. Meloni-led government is largely expected to follow Italy’s current foreign policy, including her pro-NATO stance and strong support for supplying Ukraine with weapons, inspite of both her allies Mr. Berlusconi and Mr. Salvini having ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. While both have distanced themselves from his invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Salvini has warned that EU sanctions against Moscow are hurting Italian industry. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Home and abroad: On India’s role as a bridge between polarised nationsÂ]( [Arrow][Turning inward: On the rise of far-right parties in EuropeÂ]( The Hindu’s Daily Quiz In cricket, what is the name given to the practice of a batter being run out by the bowler while backing up too far from the non-striking end? - Bodylining - Mankading - Browning -  Dilscooping To know the answer and to take the quiz, [click here]( Today’s Best Reads [[Putin grants Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden] Putin grants Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden]( [[Dalit student dies after being beaten by teacher in U.P., Opposition mounts pressure on government] Dalit student dies after being beaten by teacher in U.P., Opposition mounts pressure on government]( [[Seven years which saw the Supreme Court embrace live-streaming, online RTI portal] Seven years which saw the Supreme Court embrace live-streaming, online RTI portal]( [[How Amazon, Flipkart, and electronics makers are whetting buyers’ palate for the festive season?] How Amazon, Flipkart, and electronics makers are whetting buyers’ palate for the festive season?]( Copyright @ 2022, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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