A conservative candidate for prime minister is expected to make history in Italy on Sunday when the country votes, not only because it would be the first right-wing prime minister since World War II but because it would also be the first female prime minister in Italy’s long history.
The way Italy’s elections run, the country will elect a new parliament, and the leader of the party that wins the most seats will take office as prime minister.
Polls forecast that the Brothers of Italy party will win 25%, and its leader is Giorgia Meloni.
“I am Giorgia, I am a woman, I am a mother, I am Italian, I am Christian,” Meloni told supporters in 2019. “No one will take that away from me.”
“Neo-fascist” label
Of course, critics call the Brothers of Italy party “neo-fascist,” but that’s the view of the left when describing the right.
Hey, if it works in America, might as well try it abroad, I guess.
Brothers of Italy seems like a run-of-the-mill party that is against immigration, for cutting taxes, and dedicated to family values, however.
Meloni also wants to bring the country out of decline in a platform similar to Donald Trump and other Republicans in the U.S., she has said.
Personal appeal
Analyst Luigi Scazzieri of the Centre for European Reform credited Meloni’s policies and a “down-to-earth” personality as the main reasons voters like her.
“But it’s also in large part due to her own personal appeal,” Scazzieri said. “And I would single out here, for example, her way of talking, which is very down to earth. It’s very effective in connecting with ordinary voters.”
“Finally, she also benefits from not having been anywhere near government for the past 10 years, and so she can credibly say that she represents something new,” he added.
Her election would not only be ground-breaking for Italy, but would lend credence to a worldwide movement that looks likely to sweep Republicans back into Congressional power in the U.S. as well–either partly or in full.