(see related political stories) (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 20 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday that his Forza Italia (FI) party had succeeded in becoming the dominant force in the centre of Italy's political arena.
    "A poll done after the vote (for the new European Parliament) says Forza Italia is the only centre-right party growing (in popularity)," Tajani said at the 'Anuman2024' event in Tolfa, near Rome.
    "The Italians say we have taken the right path.
    "We are pursuing the target of expanding our level of support to reach 20% at the next general election," added the the former European Parliament President, who took the helm of FI after founder and ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi died last year.
    "I don't usually make bombastic comments, but if I set a goal, I achieve it".
    FI won around 9.6% of the vote in June's European elections, up from just over 8% in the 2022 Italian general election.
    "The space in the centre 'is reserved for us" (ANSA).