ANCONA, Italy (AP) — Leading her first election campaign rally, Italian far-right leader Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday slammed the European Union energy’s strategy, saying families and businesses are being “brought to their knees” by soaring prices. Meloni's main rival in opinion polls in the last several weeks is Democratic Party leader Enrico Letta, a former center-left premier. Sky-high energy prices “have forced businesses and families down to their knees," Meloni said. Meloni has called for naval blockades in the Mediterranean to foil migrant smugglers from launching unseaworthy vessels from Libya toward Italy's shores. A few protesters rallied near the square where Meloni spoke, with one of them holding a sign contending the leader foments hate.
