Andrea Maccari, a university student in Rome, is frustrated and angry. He wants to vote for a radical left party that no longer exists, and perhaps the far right will back the Brothers of Italy. His aim is not idle curiosity. He tests the system with a flood of grievances about the political class. This year, books cost much more, water leaks plague schools, and politicians make promises they never keep. These concerns feel real to him and many others.
Maccari is not alone. A sizable segment of Italians believes the country has no clear solution. They feel abandoned by the political center, often coming from the poorer middle class and people living away from major urban centers. While the exact numbers are debated, analysts estimate about one-fifth of the electorate shares this sentiment with the urge to shake things up. In 2014, some voters who chose the leader of the Democratic Party, Matteo Renzi, saw him as a new voice in old politics. In 2018, Renzi shifted his stance, aligning with moves that brought in new political rhetoric that challenged established groups.
Matteo Salvini’s Lega experienced a similar rise. When Salvini took charge in 2013, the party held about 4 percent support. With founder Umberto Bossi less active due to health issues, Salvini moved the party from a regional, northern focus toward a national stage. He also centered his rhetoric on immigration, framing it as a national security issue. That message helped the party grow to around 18 percent by 2018.
to break the system
Today, many Lega voters say they will back Giorgia Meloni and the Brothers of Italy in the upcoming vote. Bruno Molvadi, a retired factory worker from Milan, is among them. He believes Meloni represents real change in contrast to the past leadership. He recalls voting for Salvini before, but feels let down when alliances formed with economic authorities who were not seen as pro-public interests. Critics like Molvadi argue that some politicians have prioritized financial ties over citizen needs. Others, such as Sonia and Angelo, share worries about inflation and see their votes drifting toward the right.
Loredana, a public servant from Milan, is another who sees Meloni as a fresh force. She notes that Silvio Berlusconi, founder of Forza Italia and a longtime ally of the Brothers of Italy, presents a contrast to Meloni’s message. She believes Meloni stands for stronger national identity and economic stability. A fellow citizen with Italian-Argentine roots admits that a past vote for the Five Star Movement left regrets, shaping a cautious stance toward all major parties today.
Italy for Italians
Another strand comes from followers tied to historical right wing movements that predate today’s party structure. These veteran supporters attend rallies and speak from a minority viewpoint, with many calling Rome home. They argue that Meloni has never supported multiethnic governance and has consistently upheld a simple, clear principle: national priorities first. A local surgeon from Rome remarks that Meloni has never shifted away from these core beliefs, emphasizing a focus on Italian families and the homeland.
For some voters in the capital, loyalty to Meloni remains strong. Monica, a long-time resident, wants people to wake up each day with purpose and go to work. She acknowledges Salvini’s appeal but does not plan to vote for him. Another resident, Antonio, highlights the importance of supporting families and the elderly, hoping the new leadership will deliver on those promises. These voices reflect a broad sense of national pride and a call for steady leadership that can weather economic pressures.
In the campaign’s final days, supporters gathered in central Rome where music and outspoken groups from various European movements created a charged atmosphere. The presence of far-right factions outside mainstream channels underscored the polarization surrounding the vote. One attendee asked for privacy, preferring not to be photographed as the procession continued. The moment captured a country at a crossroads, weighing tradition against change and facing a future that many hope will be firmly grounded in national interests and practical governance. [citation: political analysis and field reports from Italian electorates]