Italy’s Meloni Faces Challenge from Far-Right General

Roberto Vannacci’s newly founded far-right party, National Future, has surged to approximately 7% in Italian opinion polls, establishing itself as the country’s fifth-largest political force just months after its creation, according to Ani Chkhikvadze writing in Washington Examiner. The party emerged following Vannacci’s break with Matteo Salvini’s League. Recent polling data shows National Future at 4.6%, closely trailing the League at 5.8%, with some surveys indicating Vannacci has now overtaken Salvini’s party entirely and is closing in on Forza Italia, the other junior partner in Meloni’s governing coalition.

With Italian elections anticipated as early as next spring, Vannacci’s meteoric rise represents a fundamental shift in the country’s political dynamics.

Meloni Defied the Critics

When Meloni won the 2022 election, her opponents warned that a party rooted in Italy’s postfascist heritage would turn Rome against Brussels, weaken NATO commitments, and fracture trans-Atlantic relations. Those predictions proved unfounded. While maintaining a combative stance on immigration and cultural issues, Meloni transformed Brothers of Italy from a protest movement into a credible conservative governing party in foreign policy terms. She delivered robust support for Ukraine, preserved Italy’s NATO membership, and developed productive relationships in both Brussels and Washington.

A Pro-Moscow Alternative

Vannacci, 57, presents a far more dangerous alternative. Beyond his more aggressive domestic rhetoric, his foreign policy positions would accommodate Russian fascism currently waging a war of conquest in Europe.

The former general opposes continued military aid to Ukraine, rejects Western sanctions against Russia, and advocates for renewed political and energy partnerships with Moscow. Having previously served as Italian military attaché in Russia, he frames this approach as independence from Washington. His slogan, “Italy is not for sale,” accompanied his public refusal to attend the U.S. Embassy’s July 4 reception, though he also suggested he may not have received an invitation. He has stated Italy should cooperate with the United States only when their interests align. These positions represent a sharp break from Meloni’s policy of supporting Ukraine, maintaining pressure on Moscow, and treating America as Italy’s primary security partner.

Immigration and Identity Politics

On immigration, Vannacci offers Italian voters a more radical platform. Meloni entered office promising a naval blockade to halt illegal Mediterranean crossings. While never implemented, her government did establish processing centers in Albania to handle asylum applications outside Italy, though the initiative has faced repeated legal obstacles.

As the electoral challenge intensifies, Meloni has attempted to harden her stance. She responded to Spain’s Ceuta migration crisis by introducing passport controls for arrivals from Spain, citing security concerns and Madrid’s failure to regulate illegal migration. Spain retaliated with checks on Italian travelers.

Vannacci argues Meloni has not gone far enough. He campaigns for “remigration,” a vaguely defined plan to encourage migrants to return to their countries of origin, combined with mass deportations, tougher policing, and more assertive defense of Italian identity.

Controversial Past and Provocative Statements

Vannacci first achieved national prominence through his 2023 book The World Upside Down, in which he attacked what he termed the “international gay lobby.” The controversy resulted in his removal from a military position and an 11-month suspension from the army. He has continued campaigning against expanding LGBT rights, characterizing same-sex marriage and gay adoption as threats to the traditional family.

The former general also promotes ethnonationalist positions. He triggered a political firestorm by declaring that black citizens, including Italian volleyball player Paola Egonu, do not represent authentic “Italian-ness.”

Coalition Dilemma

Meloni has resisted committing to an alliance with Vannacci, stating that politics is not arithmetic and arguing that his opposition to her government places him outside the mainstream right. His rise nevertheless threatens the coalition discipline that has made Meloni’s administration the second-longest-serving government in the Italian Republic’s nearly 80-year history.

Excluding him risks splitting the conservative vote, while admitting him would further complicate Italy’s political direction and potentially undermine the country’s Western alignment at a critical moment for European security.

With information from Washington Examiner