Is Italy heading back to the far-right?

Italians headed to the polls over the weekend with a simple question being whispered across Europe: Will Italy be   heading far-right for the first time since the Second World War?

Photo: The Toronto Star.

By: Sam Feierabend.

The name on everyone’s lips is Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party who is aiming to become the country’s first female prime minister. Her party is running allied to two other parties that are right leaning.

She has gained public attention for some of her views, including speaking out against the ‘LGBT lobby’ and campaigning for a naval blockade of Libya to halt migration to the country. Despite her softening her image in recent months, she still embraces the slogan, ‘God, fatherland and family’ which was adopted by Benito Mussolini’s fascist party of the 1920s and 1930s.

The surge in popularity in more extreme parties, especially in Italy is driven by public unrest over everyday matters. Despite Italy’s economy showing relatively steady growth following the Covid-19 pandemic, the recent energy crisis has sent prices soaring. The public are worried about paying their bills while politicians in power are arguing about how to deal with Russia. In times of crisis and the ‘normal’ failing, people turn to alternatives for a solution to their problems. 

Meloni and her party were one of the few in Italy to reject a place in the unity government put in place by Mario Draghi, whose government aimed to push through reforms as part of the EU’s loans in post-Covid recovery. Draghi’s government had collapsed by July, after only a mere 18 months in power and Meloni wants the reforms revisited and is demanding more to defend Italy’s national interests in the EU.

Strength and unity are key in winning an election, and Italy’s right-wing have it. The centre-right Forza Italia and Lega Nord are backing Meloni in coalition and have been leading the polls running up to the election. The parties on Italy’s left and centre have failed to combine to mount any serious challenge. Enrico Letta, who is seen as Meloni’s closest rival, has been unsuccessful in uniting with the Five Star Movement who have various similar policies.

Even if Brothers of Italy come out on top, the decision on who becomes prime minister lies in the hands of President Sergio Mattarella. A rejection of Meloni’s ideals could mean another messy coalition for Italy, creating a power vacuum in the country that would be akin to those before who have seen the rise of the far-right across history. Europe, and the world, eagerly awaits the outcome of this election.