Italy’s House President Election Signals a Coalitional Balance
In a move that underscored the resilience of the right-wing coalition, Lorenzo Fontana, a close ally of Matteo Salvini and a leading figure within the League, was elected president of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. The vote kept intact the political formations that emerged from the recent elections, reinforcing the coalition’s grip on the lower house.
Fontana, 42, a former Minister of Family and European Affairs, secured an absolute majority with 201 votes in the Chamber on Friday. The outcome reaffirmed his status as one of the loudest voices in the party’s hard-right wing, known for opposing LGBTQ+ rights, delaying abortion protections, and resisting sanctions against Russia. During the ballot, a protest banner was briefly displayed by some lawmakers, criticizing the candidate with the message “no to a homophobic pro-Putin president” before Fontana addressed the chamber and distanced himself from the opposition.
Fontana’s victory drew votes from the Union and also from key right-wing allies, including Siblings Italia, the party led by Giorgia Meloni, and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. In parallel, the Senate presidency was not decided by Berlusconi’s senators, who abstained from the vote. Ignazio La Russa, seen by many as Meloni’s trusted lieutenant, was elected as the Senate’s president the day before, marking a consistent start to the new legislature. The overarching pattern suggested that Berlusconi’s influence would remain significant, with Antonio Tajani—a figure frequently associated with the role of foreign minister-prospect—expected to align with the coalition in the Senate as well.
Contemporary reports indicate that Berlusconi’s health constraint prompted discussions about Ronzulli, a trusted ally of Meloni, as a potential ministerial appointment. Ronzulli, who won a sizable share of the vote in the elections, was anticipated to play a central role in forming the government and in shaping the distribution of ministries within the new administration. A consolidated leadership portrait emerged as part of the ongoing government formation process. [citation: Italian political press summary]
Analysts note that Forza Italia could opt to participate in government consultations even if allied factions held a separate track, as Meloni’s camp navigates the delicate balance of coalition power. The discussions also reflect the strategic calculus behind ministries and portfolios as the executive branch takes shape. [citation: Parliamentary briefings]
Meloni is projected to become the future head of government, with expectations that her party will command an influential share of ministries. The coalition’s calculations place Meloni’s bloc near a quarter of seats, with Liga and Forza Italia joining in a distribution plan that aims to stabilize leadership across the governing alliance. Fontana’s ascent to the presidency comes after a fourth ballot, following earlier votes in which a two-thirds majority was not achieved, underscoring the practical dynamics of coalition governance. [citation: Legislative records]
The 19th Italian legislature began with the opening of its two chambers, which collectively host 400 deputies and 200 senators. The inaugural session featured the assembly of presidents, a standard ceremonial and procedural milestone that sets the tone for the months to come as the new government program begins to take shape. [citation: Legislative proceedings]