Fdi and Pd win, Fi overtakes Lega. M5s thud, Renzi and Calenda defeated. Avs surprise

Fratelli d'Italia that confirms itself as the first Italian party (28.8%), improving by almost three points the result of the last general election. The Democratic Party that grows and obtains a 'spoils' beyond the most optimistic expectations (24.1%), not only exceeding the psychological threshold of 20% but also going beyond the result of the last European elections (22.7%). The M5s collapsing below the 10% threshold, forcing Conte to start a reflection within the party. Forza Italia approaching 10%, overtaking the League, also recovering very slightly (9%) compared to politics. The Left and the Greens, which, surprisingly, not only easily surpassed the 4% threshold, but went beyond 6%. While, again surprisingly compared to the polls, the purpose list (+Europa and Italia Viva) 'United States of Europe' remains below 4% (and does not send MPs to Strasbourg). So did Calenda's Azione. These are the main results of the European elections 2024 in which a total of 49.69% of the eligible voters voted in Italy, according to the final data published by the Ministry of the Interior (compared to 56.09% in 2019)

Giorgia Meloni had set 26% (the result of the last political elections) as the bar to talk about victory. Considering that Fratelli d'Italia came in at 28.8%, reinforcing its supremacy in Italy, the premier can only be very satisfied. The party exceeded 30% in the North-West, North-East and Centre. And a exploit in Veneto with 37.6%. A better result than the one obtained in the historic stronghold of Lazio (over 33%). Fdi is first in all constituencies, except in the south. "Italy presents itself at the G7 and in Europe with the strongest government of all, it is a satisfaction and also a great responsibility". This is how the Prime Minister, who is the leading candidate in all constituencies, not surprisingly commented on the European elections at the party's election committee.

For the PD the 20% threshold was the minimum required of the new secretary Elly Schlein to avoid psychodrama in the party. It was a sort of survival bar: overcoming it would have meant at least improving on the 19% of the policies (although at the last European elections the party reached 22.7%). Crucial then was the gap with the M5s. A wide gap would have given Schlein the lead in the progressive camp. This is what happened, with the PD at 24.1%. And the M5s more than doubled. "It is an extraordinary result for us, we are the party that grows the most since politics, the distance from Fdi narrows," said Pd secretary Elly Schlein at the Nazareno.

For the M5s it was a real collapse. The party of Giuseppe Conte, which had totalled 15.4% in the last political elections, dropped to 10%. A real debacle, despite the fact that Conte, in the absence of any well-known faces among the M5s candidates for the European elections, had personally campaigned. Among the factors that weighed, the strong astensionism in the South (the M5s's historical stronghold) where only 43.7% voted and the Movement collected only 16.8%. Here, not only did the M5s lose its historic supremacy, but it was also overtaken by the Pd, which became the first party. "We take note of the result, certainly very disappointing", "we could have done better". "The citizens' assessment is unquestionable" and "we will start an internal reflection," said M5s leader Giuseppe Conte commenting on the European elections in the Movement's headquarters.

The Azzurri, on the rise in the last regional elections in Sardinia, Abruzzo and Basilicata, had not hidden their ambition to overtake the Carroccio, with the aim of reaching 10%. The numerical objective is touched (9.6%) but the substantial and most important one, overtaking the League, is achieved. With 9.6%, on the other hand, Forza Italia has gone beyond both the 8.1% of the 2022 political elections and the 8.8% obtained by the Azzurri five years ago, despite the fact that Silvio Berlusconi was a candidate on both occasions. Finally, the party's exploit in Sicily, first party with 23.7%, should be noted in this round. Secretary Antonio Tajani spoke of an 'extraordinary result'. He added: 'Forza Italia is growing compared to all the last elections. A victory that we dedicate to President Silvio Berlusconi, to all those who have never stopped believing in our flag. From tonight, the centre-right and the EPP are stronger'.