Italians voted in an election on Sunday that could bring to power Italy's most right-wing government since World War II. By midday, 19.21% of votes have been cast across the country.
Associated Press reported opinion polls published two weeks before the polls showed far-right leader Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, with its neo-fascist roots, most popular.
Meloni is part of a right-wing alliance with anti-migrant League leader Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, the three-time premier who heads the Forza Italia party, the publication reported. The Meloni-led coalition is expected to gain comfortable victory in both houses of Italian parliament, taking between 44 and 47% of the vote, The Guardian reported. If won, Meloni would be seen as a prime minister ready to become a model for nationalist parties across Europe.
Reuters reported Meloni would be the obvious candidate for prime minister as leader of an alliance that also features former premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia. According to reports, the new government is unlikely to assume office before late October, as the new parliament is set to meet only after October 13.
The publication reported that Meloni has pledged to support West's policies on Ukraine and not take undue risks with an economy hit hard by rising prices.
