Giorgia Meloni: Europe’s Unexpected Power Player of 2025

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Once dismissed as an ultranationalist on the fringes of politics, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has ascended to a position of unprecedented influence, shaping not only the European Union’s trajectory but also transatlantic relations. For figures like Elon Musk, a confidant of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Meloni is now the primary contact when discussing Europe. In just a few years, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party has transformed her image, emerging as a central figure in global politics.  

 

Meloni’s journey has been remarkable. From her roots in the youth wing of the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement, where she once praised Benito Mussolini as a politician who acted “for the good of Italy,” to her rise as Italy’s first female prime minister in 2022, she has become an emblem of a broader shift toward the far right across Europe. While critics anticipated her policies on migration and LGBTQ+ rights would spark backlash from Brussels, EU leaders have largely responded with silence—or even cooperation.  

 

Meloni has effectively leveraged this acceptance to consolidate her power domestically and abroad. Despite Italy’s staggering national debt, her administration has provided a rare sense of stability in a country known for political turbulence. Her governance style, underscored by a commanding public presence, has strengthened her position. For instance, when a regional politician publicly insulted her, Meloni confronted him with an icy retort: “I am that bitch, Meloni. How are you doing?” The viral moment solidified her reputation as an unflinching “alpha” leader, capable of overshadowing her rivals.  

 

Yet, this stability has come at a cost. Under her leadership, Italy has witnessed a troubling decline in civil liberties. Meloni has filed numerous defamation suits against her critics, from celebrities to educators, and cracked down on journalists, prompting strikes against perceived government censorship. Judges who have ruled against her policies have faced social media attacks, leading to threats against their safety. The Council of Europe recently expressed concern over these actions, warning that they jeopardize judicial independence.  

 

Her policies targeting LGBTQ+ rights have also drawn widespread attention. Meloni’s government has implemented laws criminalizing surrogacy abroad and blocked birth certificates for children of same-sex couples. Hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community have surged, and Italy has plummeted in European rankings for LGBTQ+ rights. Meloni’s rhetoric, combined with inflammatory statements from her party members, has fostered a climate of intolerance.  

 

Despite this, Meloni has deftly positioned herself as a trusted partner on the international stage. She has balanced her role as president of the Euroskeptic European Conservatives and Reformists Party with a surprisingly cooperative stance toward Brussels. Her staunch support for Ukraine, a pivot from her earlier pro-Russian remarks, has earned her respect among EU leaders. She even brokered a critical aid package for Ukraine by persuading Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to relent, further cementing her image as a diplomatic force.  

 

Meloni’s approach to migration has resonated deeply within the EU. She has spearheaded agreements with countries like Tunisia and Egypt to prevent migrants from reaching European shores, often at great humanitarian cost. Although some of her initiatives, such as deporting migrants to Albania, have faced legal challenges, they have nevertheless influenced policy discussions across the bloc. Leaders like Germany’s Olaf Scholz and the UK’s Keir Starmer have expressed admiration for her strategies, signaling the broader appeal of what is now dubbed the “Meloni model.”  

 

With power vacuums in traditional EU strongholds like France and Germany, Meloni has emerged as a pivotal figure in shaping the bloc’s future. She serves as a bridge between the rising far-right movements and liberal democratic leaders who view her as a more digestible representative of an ideology they struggle to counter.  

 

In a moment when Europe’s political winds favor strong, decisive leadership, Giorgia Meloni stands as a formidable force. Her rise underscores a transformative period in European politics, one where traditional norms are increasingly challenged, and the contours of power are being redrawn. Whether this shift will endure remains to be seen, but for now, Meloni’s grip on the European stage is undeniable.

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-12-12

 

 

 

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She should be a model for Trump but the difference in intellectual capability may be difficult to bridge ...