22|09|28 Giorgia Meloni: The Rising Tide of Far-Right Populism in Italy | Current Affairs Lecture by political scientist Andrej Zaslove and historian Joris Gijsenbergh

Giorgia Meloni: The Rising Tide of Far-Right Populism in Italy | Current Affairs Lecture by political scientist Andrej Zaslove and historian Joris Gijsenbergh | Wednesday 28 September 2022 | 12.30 – 13.15 hrs | Collegezalencomplex, Radboud University |Radboud Reflects, VOX, Nijmegen School of Management

Podcast | No video available

Announcement - From Marine Le Pen to Viktor Orbán: the far-right parties in Europe are sending their congratulations to Italy. The Italian elections have concluded that Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d’Italia, will likely become the new prime minister of Italy. As a new government is forming, a block of far-right and populist parties seems to have the majority.

How can we explain the surge of these far-right parties? What does it mean for the state of Italian democracy? And will Meloni’s success have an impact on Italy’s position in the European Union? Come and learn from political scientist Andrej Zaslove and historian Joris Gijsenbergh about the rise of Giorgia Meloni and the Fratelli d’Italia. See full annnouncemtn below.

Review Giorgia Meloni: The Rising Tide of Far-Right Populism in Italy

From Marine Le Pen to Viktor Orbán: the far-right parties in Europe are sending their congratulations to Italy. The Italian elections have concluded that Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d’Italia, will likely become the new prime minister of Italy. As a new government is forming, a block of far-right and populist parties seems to have the majority. What should we think of this? In this Radboud Reflects Current Affairs Lecture, political scientist Andrej Zaslove and historian Joris Gijsenbergh spoke about the rise of Giorgia Meloni in Italy with moderator Lema Salah. This lecture was a collaboration between Radboud Reflects, VOX and The Faculty of Management Sciences.

Why now?

The lecture started with the question, why have we seen her rise right now? Gijsenbergh stated: economic problems have been plaguing Italy, partly because of the rise in gas prices. There also has been increased distrust in Italian politics, which allows populist parties to rise. However, Zaslove added as a nuance, it is not necessarily the case that Meloni should be called a populist. Meloni is also very popular in right-wing elite communities and populism tends to be against the elite, rather than for it. ‘She is much more a right-wing radical conservative’ Zaslove concludes. This makes her for political scientists an interesting case study.

Are there more reasons why so many people voted for Meloni? She has always had a very consistent message, drawing in more and more votes over the years. Zaslove described that the left-wing parties in Italy are weaker than ever. They have failed to compete with Fratelli and other parties, which can even be seen as the ‘bankruptcy of the left’ Zaslove describes. The turnout has also been very low, showing that people on the left felt they had no one to vote for.

Fascism and Meloni

Given Italy’s history with fascism, the elephant in the room was addressed directly: Is Meloni a fascist? The Fratelli d’Italia, Meloni’s party, originated as a neo-fascist party, but distanced themselves from this later on. Meloni has also publicly distanced herself from fascism. It seems however, an Italian participant from the audience added, that she makes use of political dog-whistles. She keeps some fascistic messages in her discourse, but denounces it at the same time. This makes nostalgic fascists likely to vote for her, while she appears innocent to the public.

Is this the main problem we should discuss?

Is the question whether she is a fascist or not, the most relevant? Not necessarily, Zaslove states. We don’t really understand why Fratelli is the biggest party, it is a larger structural change that is going on in Italy. We have to look broader than simply saying they are fascist. Sometimes the word fascist can distract media from the real, more nuanced issues that are at hand. There is also a large chance that Meloni will play it safe on issues like the EU and other political topics, especially because of the history of fascism. Newer parties can be far more radical, because they have nothing to hide.

She is the first female prime minister Italy has ever had, is this a silver lining? Not necessarily, Gijsenbergh stated. The Fratelli d’Italia certainly does not plan to improve women’s rights, as they focus on more traditional family values. As far as policy in Italy goes, difficult issues like abortion, immigrant policy and gay rights may not get worse, but will certainly not get better.

What’s next?

It also does not mean that right-wing parties in other European countries will find strength in Meloni’s victory. They simply cannot become stronger because one party takes the lead in a specific country. It does certainly seem like our discourse changes, and already has changed, due to these far-right parties. We already talk about immigration for example, far differently than before. It is a trend that we have to keep our eyes on in the coming years.

We cannot know exactly where the election of a new, far right-wing prime minister will take Italy.  Whether she will play it safe and keep more liberal views or change things radically, one thing is certain: Meloni is a strong politician with a solid party behind her. She definitely has the potential to make an impact. Which direction this impact will go, is something that we will need to see in the upcoming years.

Please subscribe to the English or Dutch newsletter and be the first to know about new programming.

Podcast

Announcement

From Marine Le Pen to Viktor Orbán: the far-right parties in Europe are sending their congratulations to Italy. The Italian elections have concluded that Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d’Italia, will likely become the new prime minister of Italy. As a new government is forming, a block of far-right and populist parties seems to have the majority.

How can we explain the surge of these far-right parties? What does it mean for the state of Italian democracy? And will Meloni’s success have an impact on Italy’s position in the European Union? Come and learn from political scientist Andrej Zaslove and historian Joris Gijsenbergh about the rise of Giorgia Meloni and the Fratelli d’Italia.

A populist surge

Populist parties have gained more and more attention over the last few decades. Appealing to feelings of nationalism, family and self-reliance, right-wing populist leaders are especially favorable in times of crisis. However, in appealing to these values, populism can go hand in hand with xenophobia and the exclusion of minority groups. Given the history of fascism that has been present in Italy, alarm bells are going off.  Where will Meloni take Italy?

Crossing borders

Italy, being the third largest economy in Europe, has a tremendous influence on the European Union. A significant change in policy, both national and international, will be felt across borders, especially when paired with the rise of far-right parties in other countries. What does this election mean for other European democracies? Is it possible that this change will even be felt in The Netherlands?

Historian Lema Salah will moderate the discussion.

About the speakers

Andrej Zaslove is a political scientist at Radboud University. His research focuses on measuring populism, populism and democracy and the influence of populist movements.

Joris Gijsenbergh is political historian at Radboud University. He researches the political history of democracy in the Netherlands and other European Nations. He also researches extreme right movements in the Netherlands.