Giorgia Meloni set to be Italy's first female prime minister and leader of its most right-wing government since World War II, exit polls suggest.
An alliance of far-right parties, led by Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party – whose origins lie in post-war fascism – were on track to win between 41 and 45% of the vote in Sunday’s general election, according to data from the Rai exit pollster Piepoli. The ultra-conservative Brothers of Italy party looks likely to win between 22 and 26% of the vote, with coalition partners the League, led by Matteo Salvini, taking between 8.5 and 12.
Voters headed to the polls amid a number of new regulations, with voting hours also contained to one day rather than two. Other changes included a younger voting age for the Senate and a reduction in the number of seats to elect – down from 685 seats to 400 in the Senate and from 315 to 200 in the lower House of Parliament. That parliament is scheduled to meet on October 13, at which point the head of state will call on party leaders to decide on the shape of the new government.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Italy expected to look right as polls open in national electionPolls opened in the Italian national elections, with the far-right Brothers of Italy party – led by Giorgia Meloni – poised to make big gains
Read more »
Far-right amalgam seen as likely winner as Italy votesOpinion polls indicate voters might elect the first far-right premier of the post-World War 2 era — and the first woman to lead an Italian government — in the person of Giorgia Meloni.
Read more »
Italy poised for glass ceiling-shattering vote, hard right turnVoters are expected to elevate Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli d'Italia party, part of a coalition that would be the farthest right government since the fall of Mussolini.
Read more »
Polls open in Italy, right-wing alliance seen winningPolls opened in Italy on Sunday in an election that is forecast to return the country's most right-wing government since World War Two and also herald its first woman prime minister.
Read more »
Italy Poised for Hard-Right Leader as Country Votes in Snap ElectionItalians head to the polls Sunday in a nationwide vote that could return the country’s first female prime minister.
Read more »