Italy PM Meloni says right made strong gains in Spain

FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hold a joint press conference in Warsaw, Poland, July 5, 2023, REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday the poor showing by her Spanish far-right ally Vox was expected in Sunday's general elections, but noted that conservatives overall made strong gains.

Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) and Vox, who were touted as potential coalition partners, earned a combined 169 seats in the 350-seat lower house, but fell short of the 176 lawmakers needed to secure a parliamentary majority.