Von der Leyen says she can work with the Italian PM's hard-right party

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, right, speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels. ©Omar Havana/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved

The president of the European Commission made the comments during a Eurovision debate of presidential candidates on Thursday.

She said that the Italian prime minister fulfils three of her criteria for future partners: she's pro-EU, against Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and for the rule of law.

Reports in the Italian media describe Ursula von der Leyen’s statement as a bold move, but one that could risk isolating her further from the centre-right EPP party.

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