Italy elections: Giorgia Meloni hails ‘night of pride’ as exit polls point to far-right coalition victory

The leader of the Brothers of Italy party appears set to become country's first female PM

Giorgia Meloni has claimed victory in Italy's elections and promised to govern for all Italians, after exit polls gave her rightwing coalition a clear majority, putting her on course to create the most rightwing government since the end of the second world war.

With full results due on Monday, the Brothers of Italy leader is set to become Italy's first female prime minister - and a model for nationalist parties across Europe as she heads one of the EU's six original member states.