Meloni and Von der Leyen's friendship is imploding... it could have devastating consequences for the EU chief - analysis by Millie Cooke

The duo looked at an entry point for illegal migrants to Italy side-by-side, as well as offering their condolences to flood-ridden communities in the European nation.

When Meloni presented her expanded political strategy on the African continent in Rome, Von der Leyen joined her.

The EU Commission chief's publically close ties with Meloni were seen to be symbolic of her increasing appeal to the right-wing - something Von der Leyen tried to take command over in the leadup to the EU elections.

But there's now concern in the Von der Leyen camp that this implicit endorsement of Meloni's brand of politics has backfired.

Meloni's hard right ECR grouping - which has faced scepticism from even those within Von der Leyen's centre-right coalition - gained seats at the election, making it now the third largest power in the European Parliament.

In the wake of her party's success, Meloni appears to have slammed the breaks on her relationship with Von der Leyen - in a very public way.

Giving a speech ahead of her trip to Brussels for today's European Council, Meloni blasted the EU.

She dubbed it an "invasive bureaucratic giant". But more worryingly for Von der Leyen, she took a swipe at the system of deciding top jobs in the EU, saying its "surreal" they have been decided without taking the EU election result into account.

As the third largest force in the parliament, Meloni argued the top jobs should reflect that.

To say that's a direct hit on Von der Leyen would be an understatement - especially given the EU Commission chief's position as the frontrunner is already precarious.

Meloni's timing was brutal - and it could just serve to further destabilise the incumbent's campaign.