N. Peter Kramer’s Weekly Column
There has been speculation about a major victory in the EU Parliament elections for what is variously called radical right, right-wing nationalists, right-wing conservative or right-wing populist. Regardless how you call them, the polls do indeed point to significant seat gains for the eurosceptic ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) and ID (Identity and Democracy). The ECR is up by 15 seats (from 69 to 84), the ID can even count on an increase of 36 seats (49 to 85). Whether that succeeds or not, the (radical) right-wing influence in the EP will certainly increase after the elections.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party belongs to the ECR. She has moderated her tones after her national victory a year and a half ago. The Economist recently even called her ‘Mainstream Meloni’. And EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a member of the centre-right EPP (European People’s Party) who likes to extend her term, said in one of the election debates, ‘We could work together’. Not that remarkable, five years ago VDL was elected with a marginal majority of 8 votes thanks to the ECR. And probably she needs these ECR votes again because she can’t count on the socialist (S&D) votes and many of the liberal ones (Renew).
Another woman vying for Meloni’s hand is Marine le Pen (ID) on the way to win in France, who said, ‘Now is the time to unite’. But Giorgia Meloni keeps her cards close to her chest. She can afford that now.
