Can Salvini harm Meloni by allying with Orban’s Patriots for Europe?

Matteo Salvini joins forces with Viktor Orban’s Patriots for Europe in the European Parliament. Could this rapprochement sow discord within the Italian coalition?

The aim of the new group is to become the third largest bloc in the European Parliament, overtaking the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the group led by Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

For the moment, the latter has remained discreet on the issue, as has her party, Fratelli d’Italia.

The League, for its part, denies being the cause of any political destabilization:

Paolo Borchia, leader of the Lega group in the European Parliament, said:

“There is nothing wrong with the right-wing parties having different views on some European issues. On the contrary, it is an opportunity for enrichment rather than an obstacle. I think we must be concrete. This government has won the trust of the Italian people and it is right that it continues its work. The European dynamic will have repercussions that will not destabilize the government.”

Forza Italia, while reiterating its support for the government recently strengthened by the European vote, also believes that Orban’s new political formation will not have a decisive impact.As Mr Tajani, the leader of Forza Italia, explained, the role of Patriots for Europe will not be relevant in the next European Parliament.“, said Alessandro Battilocchio, MEP of Forza Italia, adding that the Italian government remained stable and committed to keeping its political promises.

And even when it comes to the most contentious issues, such as the war in Ukraine, the head of the Lega delegation to the European Parliament explains that it is crucial to distinguish between the objectives and the means put in place to achieve them. For Paolo Borchia, the Lega has always worked in synergy with the other two political partners of the coalition on European issues related to the war.There may be differenceshe explains, in the means used to end the conflict.”

According to Lorenzo Castellani, political analyst and professor at the Luiss University of Rome, Salvini cannot count on strong political support: “He does not have enough power to undermine Georgia Meloni’s leadership nor enough electoral support to trigger a snap election or a government crisis..”

But if there is one thing that divides the Lega and Georgia Meloni, it is the question of the Italian leader’s support for Ursula von der Leyen.She doesn’t deserve all this credit“, Paolo Borchia believes, speaking of the outgoing president, affirming that “after maintaining a negative evaluation line“, THE “hesitations” by Giorgia Meloni may not be understood by voters.