Italian general launches far-right party challenging PM Meloni

Former Italian general Roberto Vannacci has launched a new far-right political party, Futuro Nazionale, challenging Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's conservative coalition and potentially reshaping Italy's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election. Vannacci, known as "Il Generale," aims to position himself as the "real right" and has criticized Meloni for not translating shared priorities into policy.

Vannacci's political career gained traction with his controversial 2023 book, "Il mondo al contrario," which attacked LGBTQ+ people, migrants, and minorities. He later joined Matteo Salvini's League, securing over 530,000 preferences in European Parliament elections before leaving to form his own party. Futuro Nazionale claims over 100,000 members and has attracted eight deputies from other coalition parties, signaling internal dissent.

Analysts view Vannacci's rise as a reflection of a broader political and cultural shift across Europe, where far-right and nationalist parties are gaining ground. Massimiliano Panarari, a politics professor, described Vannacci as an "entrepreneur of fear" whose rhetoric pushes themes Meloni cannot openly embrace in government. Lorenzo Pregliasco, a political analyst, noted that Vannacci introduces instability on the right and presents Meloni with a dilemma on whether to absorb him into her coalition, which could create problems.

Vannacci's platform includes hard-line stances on migration and security, opposition to EU policies such as the Green Deal, and criticism of sanctions against Russia. Polls suggest his party could secure single-digit support, potentially acting as a kingmaker in closely matched elections. Meloni has publicly criticized Vannacci-aligned lawmakers for undermining her government, opting for a strategy of ambiguity and ambivalence for now.