By Anastasia Giannarou & Nefeli Anastasopoulou
Introduction
In contemporary Europe, the rise of the far right is increasingly intertwined with the growth of Euroscepticism. Within this broader trend, the case of Giorgia Meloni in Italy emerges as particularly significant. This analysis examines Meloni’s stance on European integration, with particular attention to its implications for national sovereignty and democratic governance. It also considers the evolution of her position in the context of her ascent to power.
Giorgia Meloni is a pivotal figure in contemporary European politics and currently serves as Italy’s first female prime minister, having led the Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia, FdI) to power in 2022 (Ray, 2025). Founded in 2012 by Meloni alongside Ignazio La Russa and Guido Crosetto, FdI has evolved from a small nationalist group into one of Italy’s most influential parties (Ray, 2025). Rooted in the legacy of the post-fascist Italian Social Movement, FdI identifies as a national-conservative and sovereignist force, emphasizing values such as national pride, cultural identity, and traditional social structures(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). Meloni has long promoted the party’s core ideological motto: “God, Fatherland, and Family,” aligning with her broader calls for “Italy and Italians first”(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). In 2020, she was elected president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the Eurosceptic bloc in the European Parliament (Ray, 2025). While Meloni moderated her rhetoric during her campaign for office, her rise marked the return of a strong sovereigntist voice within the EU(Ray, 2025).
The Italian Political Context
Meloni’s rise cannot be understood without considering the broader dynamics of Italian politics. Italy has long been characterized by political instability, frequent government turnovers, and weak party institutionalization. Against this backdrop, voter disillusionment with traditional centrist parties created space for new political forces. The Brothers of Italy benefited from both the collapse of Matteo Salvini’s League as a governing alternative and the decline of Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia. Meloni positioned her party as the sole uncompromising defender of national sovereignty, an image that resonated with voters frustrated by corruption, economic stagnation, and the EU’s perceived overreach.
Ideological Identity and Core Values
Giorgia Meloni’s political vision centers on national sovereignty, cultural identity, and traditional values. In a 2017 speech, she called for the creation of a “patriot movement” grounded in Italy’s historical memory and national pride(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). She sees identity as inseparable from national tradition and believes that reclaiming shared cultural roots can restore civic responsibility (Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022).
Her rhetoric often invokes the image of Italy as “the most beautiful ship in the world,” a nation whose greatness must be preserved against the perceived threats of globalisation and supranational governance(Meloni, 2022). Meloni positions herself as a defender of the Italian nation against what she views as corrosive external forces: global capitalism, an overreaching EU bureaucracy, the erosion of religious and moral values, and uncontrolled immigration (Stille, 2024). Central to her ideological framework is the belief that the nation is defined by a common set of values and traditions, and that national sovereignty is the cornerstone of democratic self-determination (Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022).
Her worldview upholds sovereignty as the foundation of democracy and promotes a vision of Europe based on three principles: patriotic self-determination, fair economic governance, and the defense of moral and religious values(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). This worldview also informs her party’s strong advocacy for the traditional family model and its opposition to same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022).
The ideological emphasis on sovereignty shapes Meloni’s approach to European politics. As president of the ECR, she has sought to build a coalition of like-minded parties across Europe, bringing together Poland’s Law and Justice(PiS), Spain’s Vox, and Sweden Democrats under a common Eurosceptic umbrella. Her goal is not to dismantle the EU outright but to reshape it into a “Europe of Nations” where member states retain ultimate authority over sensitive areas such as migration, family law, and economic governance. This effort reflects Meloni’s dual identity: a domestic conservative leader rooted in Italy’s traditions and a European politician navigating alliances in Brussels.
Immigration and Economic Policy
On immigration, she has taken a firm stance. Her party has proposed using the Italian navy to block migrant boats in the Mediterranean and banning NGO vessels that conduct rescues from docking at Italian ports(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). It also opposed the introduction of ius soli, arguing that citizenship is not a right but a privilege, to be granted only to those who demonstrate integration into Italian society by mastering the language and showing respect for its legal system, cultural norms and religious traditions(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). While Meloni does not promote protectionism outright, she and her party oppose what they describe as “rampant globalism” that disproportionately benefits multinational elites. Instead, they advocate for a regulated market economy that prioritizes Italian citizens in areas such as welfare, housing, and childcare -an approach encapsulated in the slogan “Prima gli italiani” (“Italians first”) (Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022).
From Euroscepticism to “Eurorealism”
Meloni’s rise to power in 2022 sparked concerns across Europe regarding the potential trajectory of her leadership(Henley, 2024). Known for her long-standing Eurosceptic rhetoric -including denouncing the euro as a form of “enslavement” and calling for the collapse of the EU at the 2019 CPAC conference- Meloni appeared poised to align herself with nationalist leaders like Viktor Orbán(Henley, 2024). However, her early months in office revealed a more pragmatic shift. Facing the realities of governance, including Italy’s reliance on EU post-Covid recovery funds, Meloni recalibrated her tone, adopting what analysts have termed a “Eurorealist” approach(Tocci & Goretti, 2023). Her electoral platform in 2022 dropped explicit anti-EU language and instead emphasized Italy’s role as a “protagonist in Europe” and a promoter of a “Europe of homelands” (Tocci & Goretti, 2023). Her first official visit abroad was to Brussels, signaling a strategic realignment aimed at influencing rather than defying EU policy. Though still president of the ECR group, Meloni has avoided open clashes with EU institutions and even played a key role in convincing Hungary to approve a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine, further underscoring her shift from populist firebrand to cooperative, if still nationalist, leader(Politico, 2025).
A crucial dimension of Meloni’s premiership is her approach to foreign policy. Italy under her leadership has remained firmly committed to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, aligning with NATO and EU policies. At the same time, Meloni has emphasized Italy’s Mediterranean identity, pursuing stronger partnerships with North African states to curb irregular migration and ensure energy security. Relations with China have also been recalibrated, as her government signaled Italy’s withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative, positioning Rome closer to Washington and Brussels. This balancing act highlights her attempt to reconcile nationalist discourse with Italy’s international obligations and strategic interests.
Reframing the EU Relationship and Domestic Agenda
As her tone softened, so did her previously uncompromising stance on critical EU-related issues. Once known for portraying the European Union as a “new Soviet Union” and harshly criticizing the “Brussels techno-bureaucrats”(Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022), Meloni has gradually distanced herself from this confrontational rhetoric(Henley, 2024). A key area of policy reorientation has been the Eurozone. In its 2014 electoral manifesto, FdI explicitly advocated for Italy’s “controlled abandonment of the Eurozone,” expressing scepticism toward the ECB’s monetary policy (Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022). The party was also highly critical of EU financial assistance programmes, framing them as intrusive mechanisms undermining Italy’s fiscal autonomy (Sondel-Cedarmas, 2022).
Since assuming power, however, Meloni’s political agenda has focused on a combination of national sovereignty, economic revitalization, migration control, and demographic renewal(Meloni, 2022). Her government has adopted a pragmatic approach to the EU, advocating institutional reform and promoting Italy’s strategic interests within EU frameworks(Meloni, 2022). Domestically, Meloni prioritizes structural economic growth, supporting families and increasing birth rates, safeguarding national industries, and tightening migration policies through external border control and cooperation with African states (Meloni, 2022). At the same time, she maintains a cultural narrative rooted in Italy’s religious, historical, and national identity, reaffirming the family as the core of society and emphasizing Italy’s role in shaping a more balanced and sovereignist vision for Europe(Meloni, 2022).
Criticism and Democratic Challenges
Although Meloni has adopted a more pragmatic stance, critics argue that her consolidation of power carries risks for Italian democracy. Concerns have been raised about media pluralism, checks and balances, and the potential erosion of minority rights. Her attempt to reform Italy’s institutional architecture -particularly her push for a directly elected prime minister- has sparked debate about whether these reforms would strengthen democratic accountability or entrench executive dominance. At the European level, her brand of “normalized Euroscepticism” reflects a broader trend across the continent, where radical-right parties are no longer advocating outright exits from the EU but are working from within to reshape its institutional logic.
Over time, Meloni has nevertheless managed to reposition herself as a pivotal figure in European politics. She combines a strong commitment to Ukraine and European unity(Meloni, 2024) with a close and pragmatic alliance with Commission President von der Leyen(Henley, 2024). By championing Italy’s strategic interests within EU institutions, she has effectively advanced migration control policies and asylum reforms that align with her vision for Europe’s future (Henley, 2024). At the same time, Meloni remains a complex leader, balancing a moderate and cooperative stance on the international stage with a firm, culturally conservative agenda at home (Stille, 2024). This dual approach allows her to navigate both national and European arenas, establishing herself as a key influencer in shaping the continent’s political trajectory.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Meloni’s premiership has been marked by a shift from combative nationalism to what may be termed strategic Eurorealism. Initially known for her sharp Eurosceptic rhetoric -denouncing the euro, rejecting EU financial governance, and framing Brussels as a technocratic threat to national sovereignty- Meloni entered office amid widespread concern about her alignment with the European project. Yet, the realities of governing a major EU member state led to a significant change. While still advancing a sovereignist agenda rooted in national identity and cultural conservatism, she has embraced a more constructive stance within EU institutions. Rather than seeking confrontation or withdrawal, she has worked to influence European policy from the inside, particularly in areas like migration. Her rhetoric now emphasizes Italy’s role as a “protagonist in Europe,” and she promotes a vision of the EU as a “common home” of nations rather than a supranational authority.
Works Cited
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Picture: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/photo/P-065060~2F00-02