Le Pen hails 'historic victory' in Italy

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 26 - Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen on Monday hailed rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) Giorgia Meloni's "historic" victory in Sunday's Italian general election at the head of a centre-right coalition featuring League leader Matteo Salvini and Forza Italia (FI) chief Silvio Berlusconi.
    "The Italian people has decided to take back its destiny, electing a patriotic and nationalist government," said the French politician.
    "Well done Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, for having resisted the threats of an anti-democratic and arrogant European Union, obtaining this great victory".
    Le Pen added: "At a time when the whole of Europe is waking up, after Poland, Hungary, Sweden and now Italy, I urge you to join the National rally".
    Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki earlier also used Twitter to congratulate Meloni, with her right-wing party looking set to be the driving force of a big win for the centre right in Sunday's general election.
    Morawiecki's Law and Justice party and FdI are both in the ECR group in the European Parliament.
    Jordan Bardella, a MEP and lead member of Marine Le Pen's National Rally group, was also among the first to toast Meloni's expected triumph.
    "The Italian people have given a lesson of humility to the European Union which, via the voice of Ms Von Der Leyen, sought to impose their vote on them," Bardella said via Twitter.
    "No threat of any type can stop democracy: the European people are raising their heads and taking their destinies in their hands".
    France will be watchful on the respect shown by Italy's "post-Fascist" likely premier Meloni for human and abortion rights after her victory in Sunday's general election, French Premier Elisabeth Borne said according to France Presse. "We will obviously be watchful, and with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to make sure that these values on human rights, on mutual respect, and in particular on the respect for abortion rights, will be respected by all," she told BFM TV.
    Von der Leyen irked the Italian right ahead of the election by saying the EC had the "tools" to ensure respect for human rights if Italy adopted policies promoting nationalist stances and crimping human rights like those in Hungary and Poland.
    Meloni has railed against gay lobbies, woke ideology and the alleged replacement of white Christians in Europe, said she will set up a naval blockade against migrants, and that she will give women wanting an abortion an alternative. (ANSA).