Conservative Giorgia Meloni Claims Victory As Italy’s First Female Prime Minister

Giorgia Meloni claimed victory early Monday morning and is projected to win a battle to become Italy’s first female prime minister, leading her conservative party Brothers of Italy in the country’s national elections.

Her party indicated Meloni’s center-right coalition had received 44% of the vote with nearly all ballots counted on Monday, far ahead of the nation’s center-left coalition that received just 26%.

“If we are called to govern this nation, we will do it for everyone, we will do it for all Italians and we will do it with the aim of uniting the people,” Meloni said in a victory speech, according to the Associated Press. “Italy chose us. We will not betray it as we never have.”

The report noted that voter turnout was at a historic low of just 64%, perhaps influenced by “backroom deals” involving past governments.