"Ursula von der Leyen's second term? I think it's too early to talk about that now. We are still collecting data to understand the majorities, there is a part of the majority that supported Ursula that is holding up well but the parties that were not part of this majority are also growing well. However, there are two pieces of data to consider: the response of the citizens dictates that Europe should look more toward the center-right, this is the result and this is what the citizens are asking for". Thus Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, commenting on the results of the European elections in an interview with radio station RTL 102.5. "The second fact," she argues, "is that Italy will play a fundamental role in Europe. We come out as the absolute strongest government, in contrast to the parties in the rest of Europe. This result is not an achievement for myself but to turn every single cross made about the center-right parties into results for the Italians, which as always is the only thing I care about. And I am interested in doing my part for a different Europe than the one we have known in recent years. That it does things that it has often not done and that it does not meddle in matters that are not its responsibility, leaving them to the competence of the nation states. Italy," she assures, “will play a decisive role”. Meloni then reflects on the abstention figure: “The turnout at the polls opens a reflection on the role of Europe. The low turnout is a datum that does not only concern Italy but is an issue that affects the whole continent. It is a data that makes one reflect. Europe is perceived as distant with policies that are not shared by the people, it shows in the results. Alternative forces to the left are growing practically all over Europe, the Conservative Party, which I have the honor to lead, is currently the fastest growing party. This is a call for more pragmatic and less ideological policies. I think we need a Europe that is more able to listen to the people, less intrusive in people's lives, but that takes care of the big issues that it is responsible for. I think the turnout figure should be seen not so much in relation to our national politics but in relation to a Europe that many citizens do not see as important. It is not perceived as something that affects all citizens, and this is something that Europe needs to reflect on”.
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