Early Life and Political Origins
Giorgia Meloni grew up in the Garbatella district of Rome. Her father left the family when she was a child, and she was raised by her mother.
At age 15, she joined the youth wing of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a party with fascist roots, and later moved into its successor, the National Alliance (AN).
She served as a councillor of the Province of Rome (1998-2002) and became national president of the youth branch of AN.
In 2008, at age 31, Meloni was appointed Minister for Youth Policies in the government of Silvio Berlusconi, making her the youngest post-war Italian minister.
Founding of Brothers of Italy & Climb to Power
In 2012, Meloni co-founded the Brothers of Italy (FdI), positioning it as the legal successor to AN and adopting a national-conservative, populist platform emphasizing national sovereignty, immigration control, and traditional values.
By 2014 she became party president, and over subsequent years the party gradually grew in strength.
At the 2022 general election, FdI achieved about 26 % of the vote, emerging as the leading party in the centre‐right coalition.
Prime Ministership: Historic and Strategic
On 22 October 2022, Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s first female Prime Minister, presiding over a right-wing government — the first of its kind since World War II.
In office, she has adopted a mixture of ideological continuity and political adaptation:
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She retains core themes of national identity, sovereignty, and family values.
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At the same time, she has signalled willingness to cooperate with Europe and maintain Italy’s position in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the West— especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
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Her government has sought to project stability: her administration became one of the longest-lasting in post-war Italy (as of 2025).
Policy Priorities and Controversies
Immigration & Sovereignty: Meloni has emphasised more stringent immigration controls and vetting of migrants, often appealing to concerns about national identity and social cohesion.
Family & Social Values: She champions traditional family structures (“male–female pairs”), opposes same-sex parenting and surrogacy, and draws on Catholic-inspired values.
Europe & Economy: While her party is rooted in Euroscepticism, in office she has taken a more constructive approach to Europe—especially in fiscal discipline and Italy’s role within the EU.
Legal and Ethical Issues: In January 2025, Italian prosecutors opened an investigation into Meloni and two ministers for allegedly aiding in the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Her past links to post-fascist political movements and the historical roots of her party continue to generate scrutiny and criticism.
Significance and Outlook
Meloni’s rise signals a re-shaping of Italian politics: she broke long-standing glass ceilings, mobilised a new phase of conservative populism, and in doing so changed Italy’s positioning within Europe and globally.
Her pragmatic mix of ideology and realism has drawn both admiration and concern: admiration for restoring political stability and credibility, concern for potential erosion of liberal norms and civil rights.
Going forward, key questions include: how her government will address Italy’s structural economic weaknesses, manage demographic decline, and navigate the tension between sovereignty and European/international commitments.
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