In mid-August, Giorgia Meloni, born in Rome in 1977, faced the Italian political scene as preparations for the general elections on September 25 intensified. A recorded message portrayed fascism as having been a victim of decades of history and of a powerful left-leaning media circuit. The Republic, a major daily, quickly responded. Days later, an old interview resurfaced in which a very young Meloni praised Benito Mussolini, stating, “There hasn’t been anyone like him in the last 50 years.”
This development did not surprise Mattia Diletti, a politics professor at La Sapienza University in Rome. He notes that Meloni has mastered a defensive posture for years, presenting her party as the heir to the post-fascist Italian Social Movement. The party’s historic tricolor flame remains a symbol Meloni is expected to proudly carry into the forthcoming elections.
Since the fall of Mario Draghi, who resigned after a rapid government crisis led Italy to new elections, Meloni has moved quickly to form a coalition with Matteo Salvini’s populist League and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. In this period, Meloni’s leadership has also shown a more personable side, sending messages aimed at détente with Europe and international partners. Analysts, however, view these steps as strategic moves to win votes rather than a genuine shift in stance.
harsh criticism of the EU
The reason behind this skepticism is that Meloni, like Salvini, has long been critical of the European Union. In 2018, the party leadership backed a constitutional change related to EU obligations. On April 25, a date celebrating Italy’s liberation from fascism, party militants and leaders were seen in photos that sparked controversy due to fascist salutes. Despite these past tensions, the coalition presents itself as capable of leading Italy within a European framework, with a pro-European and Atlantic stance emphasized in its program for the next elections. Polls indicate a potential tally in the mid-20s for Meloni, with Salvini and the Democratic Party also showing strength.
Political scientist Pasquale Pasquino, professor emeritus at the University of Bologna, argues that the aim is to emerge as a viable option to govern Italy. If Meloni and Salvini win, conflicts with the EU on sensitive issues such as public debt and migration are likely, according to his statements to EL PERIÓDICO.
Links with Vox
Some frictions are already visible. The right-wing bloc has called for a review of the EU’s Stability Pact and economic management, while Salvini and Meloni have signaled a tougher stance on immigration. They also favor keeping Italy under a strong executive presidency, a position that worries center-left opponents.
Beyond Italy’s borders, concerns persist. Meloni is seen as Atlanticist with a history of relations with US Republicans, while Salvini’s ties toward Russia and the war in Ukraine remain more ambiguous. Analysts caution that such differences will surface with European partners. There is also skepticism about how Spain and Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, may influence the broader European nationalist movement if the Italian right bloc gains power.