In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Amir Hossein Askari referred to the victory of the right-wing parties in the recent elections in Italy and pointed out: Victory of the “Brothers of Italy” Party in 2022 elections, with anti-Europeanism characteristics, opposition to immigration, conservatism and extreme nationalism, confirms the victory of the extreme right-wing political movement in the country that can expose the European Union to the threat and divergence and rupture or crisis.

Saying that Italy is of great importance for the European Union and the European continent due to its unique position, he added: on the one hand, Italy is known as the third largest economy in the European Union, and on the other hand, the country is the biggest recipient of budget from the next generation of the European Union. In addition, European institutions and partners are looking at the new Italian government from the perspective of whether the new government, which replaces Mario Draghi’s National Unity coalition, is equally committed to advancing the necessary reforms to be qualified for being supported and timely and effectively spending the money it receives or not?

Europe’s concern over victory of right-wingers in Italy

Recalling that Italy is considered as one of the biggest debtor governments in the European Union, the analyst of Europe affairs said: Concerns of the Europeans in this regard have been reflected in various press.

Askari continued: But the importance of Italian elections is not only about financial issues, stocks, markets and bonds. The war in Ukraine has raised another type of discussion in this regard. During the Ukraine war, Draghi’s government played a leading role in the European Union and NATO. Whether the next Italian government will be as steadfast in its support for Ukraine or its opposition to the Russian invasion is stable and steadfast, is another question that is raised in this regard.

Stating that the Brothers of Italy Party is a far-right party and in other words is the most right-wing political party in Italy, he added: The leader of the party, Giorgia Meloni, was able to turn his party into the largest party in Italy by winning 26 percent of the votes in the 2022 Italian elections. Therefore, the next government in Italy will be the most right-wing government in terms of political spectrum after the World War II, and Meloni will form her own government as the first female prime minister in that country.

Askari said: The “Brothers of Italy” party is a rightist branch of the “Forza Italia” Party led by “Silvio Berlusconi”. This party is the inheritor of the “National Alliance” Party, which was merged into the “Forza Italia” Party in 2009. The National Alliance Party was a “neo-fascist” and a Republican Party in terms of political policy, which was established through the efforts of former members of the dissolved National Fascist Party.

The analyst of Europe affairs stated: In terms of political orientation, the Party has components of nationalism, conservatism, localism or nativism, opposition to immigration and pessimism towards Europe, and of course, at the European level, the party is considered to be among the spectrum of conservatives and reformers of Europe.

Askari reminded: The victory of the extreme right movement in Italy, which has been unprecedented since the post-World War II, has received two outstanding reactions in Europe: on the one hand, the European extreme right movements in other countries congratulated Georgia Meloni and her party; but the second reaction was accompanied by concern and doubt about the future of Italy’s role in Europe and the Union.

Consequences of victory of the rightists

The expert on Europe affairs regarding the consequences of the victory of the right-wing parties in the Italian elections stated: Ideological components and political policy of the Brothers of Italy Party and the leader of that party have raised increasing concerns for Europeans; because the first and most obvious feature of that political party is pessimism towards Europe and it can put the European Union in a more critical situation than in the past. The party has always called for the revision of European laws and treaties and is considered as one of the staunch supporters of Brexit in Britain. In fact, the first consequence of the elections for Europe and the European Union can be seen as the possible weakening of European convergence in the future.

He continued: This party can also influence strengthening of the extreme far-right currents throughout Europe. Taking into account the acquisition of power in other countries of the Union by right-wing political parties or their influence in the political structure, such as Hungary, Poland and even France, the victory of the “Brothers of Italy” Party is considered as a warning for European convergence, which is viewed as a threat by the leaders of the Union or the European federalists. In addition, in other countries, far-right and anti-European parties may find more motivation for political activity.

Saying that this party wanted to improve relations with Russia even before Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, Asgkari added: After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, this party, while condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanded to send weapons to Kiev for countering Putin’s invasion. However, “Politico” in a report raised the possibility that the overthrow of the government of Mario Draghi was the result of the hidden policies of the Russians, and therefore, the coming to power of Giorgia Meloni, could weaken the European front against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He continued: Among other possible effects and consequences of the Italian elections for Europe and the Union, we can consider the break in the European united front against Russia. Indeed, this question for European leaders And the United States is very important that whether Italy will continue to act as a solid and reliable part of Europe and the West vis-à-vis Russia.

In conclusion, Askari said: From an economic point of view, since Italy is known as the third largest economy of the Union, the victory of the extreme right in that country with a clear anti-European characteristic, if it leads to the cancellation of some European treaties by Italy, in addition to weakening the Union and creating divisions in Europe, can also deal a big and outstanding blow to Europe and the Union from an economic point of view.