Meloni's Grip Tested as Italy Faces Economic Headwinds

Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister, has navigated recent geopolitical chaos with notable skill, holding together a right-wing coalition that many predicted would fracture under economic pressure. Her party, Fratelli d’Italia, has seen a dramatic surge in support, growing from 4% in 2018 to 26% in the 2022 election, which, combined with coalition partners Forza Italia and Lega, secured them a parliamentary majority.

Meloni has consistently distanced her party from its post-fascist origins, asserting that the Italian right abandoned fascism decades ago and condemning dictatorship and antisemitism. Despite her coalition's electoral success and current support in opinion polls, the nation's economic standing remains a significant challenge. Italy faces low growth and one of the eurozone's highest national debts, issues compounded by high energy prices stemming from the conflict in Iran.

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the Italian right has for decades left fascism to history, condemning dictatorship and antisemitism.

The government is pushing for electoral reform, proposing a system that includes a substantial bonus for coalitions surpassing 42% of the vote, which Meloni frames as necessary for "stability and governability." The proposed changes are expected to pass parliament by August. However, the economic headwinds, coupled with Meloni's close alignment with Donald Trump, present a complex political landscape as Italy approaches the next election, the date for which has not yet been set.

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stability and ability to govern