Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy’s election

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy’s election and is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Meloni is widely expected to form Italy’s most right-wing government since World War Two, which would alert much of Europe as Italy is the European Union EU’s third-biggest economy.

However, speaking after the vote, Meloni said her brothers of Italy party would govern for everyone and would not betray people’s trust.

Based on provisional results, she is predicted to win up to 26% of the vote ahead of her closest rival Enrico Letta from the center left.