The EU has tools to respond if the political situation in Italy goes in a difficult direction, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday. She hinted that the country could face punishments such as those recently leveled against Hungary and Poland if the upcoming election results in the predicted right-wing sweep.
My approach is that whatever democratic government is willing to work with us, were working together, she said in response to a question over whether she had concerns about Sundays Italian parliamentary vote, in which the conservative Fratelli dItalia (Brothers of Italy) are projected to take first place.
If things go in a difficult direction, Ive spoken about Hungary and Poland, we have tools, von der Leyen explained.