Our questions, our answers | Giorgia Meloni, sister from Italy

She is Christian, conservative, associated with the neofascist movement. And she may be Italy’s next prime minister. But who is Giorgia Meloni? Our questions. Our answers.

Jean-Christophe Laurence
The Press

Wait. Elections in Italy? Still ?

It’s true that over there, it’s almost a national sport. It will be the 70^are elections since the end of the Second World War! The very broad coalition of six parties led by Mario Draghi, alias Super Mario, only lasted 18 months. The former president of the European Central Bank, very credible on the international level, had been appointed to put the country back on track after the pandemic. His recent resignation forces the holding of early elections on September 25th.

What results to expect?

If the current polls are confirmed, Italy could be led by a conservative right-wing coalition that would include the League of Matteo Salvini, Forza Italia, of the indestructible Silvio Berlusconi, and Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), party directed by Giorgia Meloni. The latter receives 23% of the votes. This is considerable in such a fragmented political landscape. This score could consecrate her automatically as President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister). She would be the very first woman to obtain this position in Italy.

But where does this Madame Meloni come from?

M^me Meloni, 45, a Roman of modest origins, began her political career at the age of 15, within the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a neo-fascist party founded by former accomplices of Benito Mussolini. She has been head of Fratelli d’Italia since 2014 and was Minister of Youth in the government of Silvio Berlusconi (2008-2011). Unlike most of the other major Italian parties, it claims the honor of not having joined Mario Draghi’s extraordinary coalition. A refusal of the compromise which plays in its favor today.

Did I hear you talk about fascism? Oh the bad word!

These are her political roots and she accepts them. But she no longer claims them, preferring to address a broader right-wing electorate. This does not prevent him from multiplying the nods to the movement, whether by adopting the tricolor flame of the MSI or by supporting the political career of a grandson of Mussolini. “She retains a form of empathy with this political experience, underlines historian Marc Lazar, specialist in Italian politics at Sciences Po Paris. As much as she shows great caution and a desire to hide fascism, she is surrounded by pro-fascist elements, both in the leadership of her party and at the base of her electorate. »

Can we call it extreme right?

Far right or radical right? Big question, big debate. M^me Meloni presents herself above all as a Christian with traditional values. It is liberal on the economic level but conservative, even reactionary, on the level of mores (anti-homosexual marriage, anti-LGBT, for the nuclear family). Politically, it is anti-Islam, anti-immigration and resolutely sovereignist: it is not at war with the European Union (EU), but believes that national law should take precedence over European law. In short, she is a bit like the Italian equivalent of the French Éric Zemmour or the Hungarian Viktor Orbán. This does not prevent him from being pro-American, pro-Atlanticist and strongly condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

How to explain that 23% of Italians want to vote for her?

Like Donald Trump in the United States, Giorgia Meloni embodies the resentment of a people in need of reference points. “For her voters, she embodies anger and the affirmation of national identity, in a country which is in full demographic and economic decline and which is struggling with all kinds of transformations in society, launches Marc Lazar. Its positions may also appeal to a nostalgic minority who see in it a residue of fascism. Finally, she can come across as someone new. “Many say to themselves: why not experiment with Fratelli d’Italia since we have experimented with all the other possible combinations? adds Mr. Lazar.

What government to expect if she takes power?

There will be plenty of heated rhetoric, but his room for maneuver will be limited. Because its radical right-wing policy could be reframed by Brussels. If Giorgia Meloni began to question the reforms put in place by Mario Draghi and which correspond to the requirements of the European Union (public administration reforms, investment in education, digitization of the country, investment in infrastructure, etc. .), the EU could threaten to cut the 200 billion euros promised to Italy, subject to conditions.

Good. Let’s say she wins. What makes us believe that this right-wing alliance will last?

Short answer: nothing. Moreover, there are already tensions. According to recent leaks in the Italian press, her future “partners”, Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, are already trying to find tricks to prevent her from being at the helm of the country, although she is crucial for the coalition. M^me Meloni felt the blow coming: she called everyone to order last week by threatening to sabotage the alliance if it is not she who leads the game. It promises!