Giorgia Meloni – The Rise of Italy’s Right‑Wing Prime Minister

If you hear the name Giorgia Meloni on the news, you’ve probably heard about Italy’s first female prime minister and her bold, often controversial stance on politics. Let’s break down who she is, why she got to the top, and what her government is doing right now.

From Youth Activist to Head of Government

Meloni started in politics as a teenager, joining the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement, a post‑fascist party that later became part of the modern right‑wing coalition. By her mid‑20s, she was already a member of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies. Her rise was steady, but the big jump came in 2019 when she helped form the party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy), re‑branding it as a nationalist, family‑first alternative to the traditional left‑right parties.

In the 2022 general election, Meloni’s party captured about 26% of the vote, the best result for a right‑wing party in Italy since the 1990s. That win gave her the chance to build a coalition with the League and Forza Italia, and on 22 October 2022 she was sworn in as prime minister.

What Does Her Government Do?

Meloni’s agenda focuses on three main pillars: national identity, economic security, and a tougher stance on immigration. On the economic front, she promised tax cuts for families, lower energy bills, and subsidies for small businesses. The goal is to boost domestic spending while keeping public debt under control.

Immigration is another hot topic. Meloni pushes for stricter border controls, faster deportations, and reduced legal pathways for asylum seekers. Critics say the policies risk marginalising vulnerable groups, but supporters argue they protect Italy’s cultural heritage and job market.

In foreign policy, Meloni balances a deep‑rooted alliance with the United States and a skeptical view of the European Union’s centralisation. She backs NATO but often questions EU fiscal rules, pushing for more national autonomy. This stance has led to tense talks with Brussels, especially over budget discipline and migration sharing.

On social issues, she emphasizes “family values,” promoting policies that encourage childbirth, such as cash bonuses for new parents and tax benefits for larger families. Education reforms under her watch aim to re‑introduce traditional history curricula and reduce what she calls “ideological bias” in schools.

Despite the controversies, Meloni stays popular among her base. Recent polls show she retains a solid 30‑plus percent approval rating, especially in the south where economic hardship fuels support for her promises of jobs and security.

Overall, Giorgia Meloni represents a shift in Italian politics toward a more nationalist, conservative direction. Whether her policies will deliver the growth and stability she pledges remains to be seen, but her impact on Italy and the EU is already reshaping the conversation on sovereignty, immigration, and the role of the Eurozone.