Threat of fascism stalking Europe

ROME: Giorgia Meloni, leader of the hard-right Brothers of Italy political party, has been criticised for claiming that her expected victory in Italy’s election on Sunday will trigger a triumph in Spain by Vox, the nationalist right-wing party.

Ms Meloni, 45, who is tipped to be Italy’s first female prime minister, said she hoped her predicted success would “pave the way” for a Vox victory in the election next year.

She told Efe, the Spanish news agency: “In difficult times like the ones we are experiencing, the concreteness and pragmatism of conservatives are much more effective than the ideological recipes of the left.”

A Eurosceptic supporter of Catholic family values, Vox has called for thousands of migrants to be deported from Spain.

It is in partnership with the Brothers of Italy in a

European parliament alliance that includes the Polish Law and Justice party, which opposes gay rights and abortion, and the populist Sweden Democrats, who came second in their country’s elections this month after calling for a sharp reduction in asylum for migrants.

Ms Meloni (pictured) and Matteo Salvini, her Italian electoral alliance partner, are keen supporters of Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister who has been accused of channelling EU funds to his backers and crushing the free press in his country.

Ms Meloni said she was united by “mutual respect, friendship and loyalty” with Santiago Abascal, the Vox leader, who responded by saying he hoped Ms Meloni wins a “huge triumph” on Sunday.

Carlo Calenda, the head of the small centrist Azione party which is battling Ms Meloni, said: “If Meloni starts saying she wants Vox in government, tomorrow it’ll be Le Pen, Orban and maybe even the AfD Alternative for Germany, so you have to watch out because these people are fascist.”

Enrico Letta, head of the centre left Democratic Party, said a Vox win in the Spanish election would be a “terrible signal for Europe”.