Meloni, Italian PM, highlights right’s significant advances in Spain.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commented on the recent general elections in Spain, stating that the poor performance of her Spanish far-right ally Vox was expected. However, she highlighted that conservatives overall made strong gains in the elections held on Sunday.

The conservative People’s Party (PP) and Vox, who were previously seen as potential coalition partners, secured a combined total of 169 seats in the lower house of the Spanish parliament. However, they fell short of the 176 seats needed to secure a parliamentary majority.

On the other hand, the ruling Socialists and far-left Sumar won 153 seats, which was a better-than-expected outcome for them.

In her remarks to Rtl 102.5 radio, Meloni acknowledged that Vox’s loss of seats was anticipated. She also emphasized that the significant development from the elections was the considerable growth of the center-right in Spain.

Vox experienced a decline in its share of seats in the Spanish parliament, going from 52 seats to 33. This fell slightly below the projection of 36 seats based on an average of polls published leading up to the elections.

During Vox’s electoral campaign, Meloni actively participated by sending a video message in Spanish to a rally led by Vox party leader Santiago Abascal.

As the leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR), Meloni likened the People’s Party in Spain to her own Brothers of Italy party in Italy, stating that they were both leading forces in their respective right-wing camps.

Regardless of the election outcome, Meloni expressed her hope that Spain would be able to form a government as soon as possible, emphasizing the friendship between the two countries.

Reporting by Angelo Amante, edited by Alvise Armellini